Shades of Gray, Final Episode

During the offseason a lot has been discussed regarding our beloved Zags. Some topics have included; our returning “bigs” and how they will bring a different flavor with an inside/out game, what can we expect out of our newcomers, and another hot topic is how the backcourt will fare after losing Matt Bouldin. I feel that this season and the success of this season, post Matt Bouldin, will be decided mainly by our guards in backcourt.

We have stability in the frontcourt. I think most of us are in agreement on that. But the back court? Returning, we have a speedy and athletic guard in Demetri “meech” Goodson. He has worked this off season to adjust to our sets and tailor his speed to accommodate players around him. He has shot a multitude of three pointers and foul shots in practice. He has spent time in the gym and gotten stronger. We have coming in a Junior College All American, Marquise “Quise” Carter, who has worked hard learning our system. He is fast, athletic, and an excellent shooter and distibutor. Given some time, he will do quite nicely. Then, there is Steven Gray.

When Gray gave his verbal to Gonzaga several years ago, there was much anticipation, and excitement at Zagnation. He came in at the same time as Austin Daye and Robert Sacre. Five star {Sacre a 4} recruits coming to Gonzaga! Many hoped that by the time Gray & Daye were seniors we would get back to the Elite 8 attained in 1999. Nothing has changed, really. Just add in Harris for Daye, who now plays in the N.B.A. and we have what was thought to be the nucleus to get us back to the Elite 8; Elias, Gray, and Sacre.

Gray came highly touted out of Bainbridge High. Washington State Player of the Year as a senior, He was ranked # 52 by Rivals and considered one of the best pure shooters in the country. He got off to a slow start his freshman year at Gonzaga because of a wrist injury but he shot 46% from 3 for the season, hit (7) 3’s vs. Davidson, and showed he is a lock down defender when he held SDU’s Branden Johnson to just 6 points.

In his three year career here his stats have steadily gone up in ppg {8.1 to 13.6), mins (26.6 to 31.9) , and rebounds (2.8 to 4.0). But, one of the knocks against him is that he has been inconsistent and can be lazy on defense at times. His three point shooting has declined from a freshman year high of .463 down to .329 and free throw shooting is also down from .833 to .778.

This is Steven Gray’s senior year and final chance to put it all together. We know he is a great defender, can shoot lights out at times, and is generally considered one of the “core of three” we are counting on to hopefully, get us back to the Elite 8. I expect him to be the team catalyst and step it up in his senior year, to be the team leader, and finish his career very strong.

Can he be consistent? Will his shots fall? Will he rise up and help deliver us once again to the promised land?