NJ Gray NJ Gray 6'2" | PG/SG Salesian-Richmond | 2027 State #174 Nation CA-N is a very elite guard that is skilled in many areas of the game on both ends of the court. One thing offensively that I noticed instantly was his shooting as he likes to shoot in the mid-range pulling up off the dribble as he possesses the body control to convert them with bumps from opposing defenders. He has the ability to hit multiple standing three-pointers accurately from various spots on the floor. His ball handling and understanding of angles within opposing defenses were on a different level, finding a way to score in situations where it looked like he didn’t have a good chance of converting the scoring opportunity. When going downhill, he finessed his way into finishing layups around or over opposing bigs protecting the paint. He excels in playing at a fast pace with the ball in his hands but has the capability of being able to impact when the game slows down. With the ball, he garners a lot of attention where he was able to take advantage of setting his teammates up for open shots on all three levels. As a defender, he is very active in putting pressure on the ball, making opposing ball handlers uncomfortable, picking apart passing lanes and is a willing rebounder.

Gray is an athletic, highly skilled, and wiry lead guard that controls the pace and flow of the game, has a variety of moves to score the ball from 3-levels, and makes plays for others to display his versatility at the guard position. Gray was the top ranked player from NorCal at the event and he displayed why over his new team’s four games of play, averaging 21 points per game, with a single game high of 34 points, connecting on 3 threes, where he drained shots from nearly every spot on the court with a high degree of difficulty on many shots. Gray has elite handles, keeps the dribble alive to weave through and probe the defense for openings to attack, has great body control and the moves to get his defender off balance, using all variations of the crossover combinations, the hesitation, step-back, fade-away, and spin-move to generate space from his opponent, has great lift on the jumper with accuracy from the mid-range to the 3-point line off the dribble, and has dynamic moves to score around the basket with the floater down the lane, as well as the euro-step, up-and-under, and reverse lay-ups to score among height in the paint. Gray has an elite burst of speed off the bounce, plays with fast but controlled on-court speed to change directions on dime to redirect his path of attack, has the court vision and decision making to find open teammates off the drive and kick pass, to the diver off the pick and roll action, cross court to open shooters, and up the court to open players in transition. Gray is active on the boards, has quick hands, instincts, and timing to deflect passes, poke the ball out, or jump passing lanes to get steals and push the pace in transition. 

I was a big fan of the Team Lillard 16 U back-court that Gray helped lead to the 3SSB title game in Rock Hill. This winter, Gray was named MCAL boys basketball player of the year for The Branson School. While some players have gone since last summer receiving a new offer, Gray was offered by Grand Canyon in October and Wyoming in January, showing that his high school performances have gotten college programs to prioritize him during their busy regular season. Those two schools joined programs like New Mexico, Loyola Marymount and San Jose State in the offer list for Gray, which has now eclipsed a dozen.

NJ Gray NJ Gray 6'2" | PG/SG Salesian-Richmond | 2027 State #174 Nation CA-N | 6’2 PG | 2027 Club: Oakland Soldiers

Gray scored 33 points despite Cornerstone attempting to build a wall to slow down his penetration. The shifty guard, seems to have the ball on a string and still found ways to get downhill.

After getting into early foul trouble and sitting much of the third quarter, Gray responded with 17 fourth-quarter points. He capped off the game with several two-hand dunks showcasing his athleticism.

NJ Gray NJ Gray 6'2" | PG/SG Salesian-Richmond | 2027 State #174 Nation CA-N – 6’1| PG |2027
#1 ranked NorCal 2027
One of the best junior guards in the nation. NJ brings elite pace, craftiness, and the ability to take over in late-game moments. NJ is coming off of a great summer. He helped lead Team Lillard to a National Championship along with fellow teammate Heath French Heath French 6'5" | SF/SG The Branson School | 2027 CA-S . NJ also climbed up in the rankings this off season.

Gray is coming off a huge week of play in Rock Hill at the 3SSB Championships winning the 16u Title with Team Lillard, and he kept that level of play going at the Invitational. The 6-foot-1 guard is a player that I have seen since his freshman season, as he was more of a back-up player behind Cal commit TT Carr, but he has really come into his own over the past year. Gray keeps the ball on a string to survey the floor, makes great use of the wide crossover to shake his defender, is able to find the angles to get to the basket and finish through contact with tough lay-ups, and moves fluidly off the ball with a quick release on the catch and shoot 3-ball. Gray has a smooth flow to his game, plays with great pace and control with the ball in hand, has the court vision to find players in shooting motion, and has active hands and instincts to tip the ball and get out in the open court. Gray will be a key piece for Branson this coming season and his confidence continues to grow as one of the top guards in California. 

Team Lillard advanced to the 16 U championship and it was thanks to the play of Gray as a slasher. Making some nasty dribble moves, Gray has a sweet behind the back wrap around to avoid a steal contest and had multiple quick crossovers that led to off-hand finishes at the rim. A quick guard who was tough to keep out of the paint, Gray’s and-1 layup in overtime helped put his team up for good. We’ll see if Team Lillard can win the 16 U championship tomorrow to wrap up the weekend.