Josh Gray excited for new challenge, opportunity with South Carolina basketball
Forward Josh Gray is one of nine new faces for this year’s South Carolina basketball team.
Gray, a New York native, played 10 games at LSU last year and was on the Tigers’ NCAA tournament team before he transferred to Frank Martin and the Gamecocks this season.
Gray talked with The State’s Lou Bezjak during the team’s recent media day about this transition and his expectations with the Gamecocks.
Bezjak: For those who don’t know your story, remind folks why you transferred to USC.
Gray: I was at LSU last year and when we came back from March Madness, maybe I needed a change of scenery. South Carolina recruited me out of high school so when they reached out, it was an easy choice. This summer was important for me and the team. I had to work harder than I ever had before. I feel that was one of my weaknesses, because my idea of working hard didn’t correlate to the collegiate level. Now, I have gotten on pace of collegiate level working hard and I hope to be very successful this year.
Bezjak: What’s been the most interesting part of your summer and preseason and getting used to a new school and new teammates?
Gray: Teammates, I have been really good with bonding with my teammates. That is the easiest part. The summer workouts were tough, but they are paying off. Stuff that was difficult for me early in the summer has been easier for me in the fall.
Bezjak: What’s been the most challenging part of the transition?
Gray: Nothing really basketball wise. I would say my social life has taken a significant hit. I don’t go out that often. I go to class and play basketball. This is my first official year of college with people on campus. Last year was a COVID year and not many people were on campus. This year, there is a lot of people on campus every day.
Bezjak: Do you have a sense yet of your role on the team or where you might fit in?
Gray: Come in the game, rebound, block shots, run the floor and play overall good solid defense and win games.
Bezjak: Give me a scouting report of your game.
Gray: Box out at all times, because I am a good offensive rebounder. Try to match my energy because I’m going to bring a lot of energy on the court.
Bezjak: What is Frank Martin’s best advice or best coaching tip to you so far?
Gray: Perfect your craft. We only have so many hours to be at practice. … You have to perfect your craft. Go into the gym multiple hours a day. This ties into what I was talking about before about the collegiate level of working hard. That advice helped me to get in the gym more, work on my craft, shoot more, work on my hooks and be in better condition. This is the SEC, so it is going to be a long season.
