Prospect Spotlight: Braydon Gray (2020)

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the state’s top rising 2020 big men, Valley Center Braydon Gray is drawing interest from a wide range of college programs after a strong summer running with NLHA 16U squad.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At 6’9, Gray brings terrific size and length to the floor and is a good shot blocker,  rebounder and has the ability to finish in the paint. He brings an old-school type of game with an array of moves on the block.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I do the little things necessary to win,” Gray said. “I don't care if I make the big plays as long as if I do what needs to be done to win.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gray says he has become a more consistent all-around performer after running with NLHA this past summer. He has added an outside shot to his game and had the freedom to shoot the ball when open with his summer team.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It has helped me improve to be a more all-around player,” Gray said. “It also helped me improve on my outside shot and man to man defense. It has helped me improve my offensive skills become more of an asset for high school.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The areas I am working at improving are my free throws and my outside shot. I want those to be a higher percentage than last year. My goals for the season are to hopefully help my team to get some big wins and average close to a double double.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gray said the biggest influence on his basketball career to date has been his dad.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“He has always pushed me to be my best and has always wanted to see me succeed,” Gray said. “He played in college and I've always wanted to follow in his footsteps.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gray said he enjoyed watching former NBA star Kevin Garnett.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“He has always been my favorite player and I loved the way he treated defense,” Gray said. “He always did whatever he could to win. I think I incorporate the way he played defense into my game.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gray has drawn interest from several NCAA Division II, NAIA and Division III programs, including Cameron University, Northeastern State University, Concordia University of Nebraska, Saint Mary's, Hendrix University, the University of Texas at Dallas, The University of Chicago, and Iowa Wesleyan University. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He has a visit planned at the University of Texas at Dallas.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>