If LSU junior guard Josh Gray’s life were a song, there is a good chance it would be “I’ve Been Everywhere” by Johnny Cash.
“I’ve been in a different city every year since my sophomore year in high school,” Gray said. “It’s been a long journey, but I appreciate every stage I’ve been in. It has made me into the man I am today.”
Although he is only a junior, the Lake Charles, Louisiana, native took a long and winding route to his final destination of Baton Rouge. Gray committed to Mississippi State out of high school, but he decided to switch his commitment to Texas Tech when head coach Rick Stansbury left the program. 
Six weeks before the 2012 season began, Texas Tech coach Billy Gillispie resigned, and Chris Walker took over as interim head coach. Gray averaged 26.7 minutes, 9.3 points, 3.2 assists and 2.5 steals per game as a freshman at Texas Tech.
When Walker didn’t get the permanent head coaching position, Gray left and headed to Odessa College in Odessa, Texas. 
Gray excelled at Odessa, putting up big numbers and making his way toward the top of recruiting website 247sports.com’s list of 100 best junior college basketball players. 
He averaged 33.8 points, 5.9 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game in the 2013-14 season. Gray earned MVP of the Western Junior College Athletic Conference and was named an All-American by the National Junior College Athletic Association. 
With his transfer to LSU, Gray hopes it will be a place both he and the coaches stay.
“All of the coaches here have played before, so they can all relate with you in a way that other coaches can’t,” Gray said. “Some of them even played my position, so they can not only help me improve my game but can also teach me new things.”
LSU coach Johnny Jones is entering his third season with the Tigers and has been building strong recruiting classes since he arrived. Jones already sees promise in Gray and said current players on the team need time learning Gray’s fast-paced playing style.
“He has ability, tremendous ball-handling skills, he’s an excellent passer and can really finish around the rim,” Jones said. “Our guys will have to try to get used to being ready and aware of passes because he throws a lot of no-look passes and creates opportunities for the ball to get there and get it there quick.”
Gray began playing basketball at age nine. When he was in high school, however, his life was turned upside down, and he gained a whole new perspective on life and sports. 
His mother passed away when he was 16, and Gray was left looking for answers. The doctors couldn’t explain what happened, and the news hit
him hard. In the wake of his loss, Gray used basketball as  an escape and focused all of his attention on it. 
“I had to grow up in a hurry. It wasn’t an option for me,” Gray said. “I know how to deal with things now that a regular kid my age wouldn’t know how to deal with.”
Gray said he has become a stronger basketball player and a better person despite his setbacks. As he begins the next chapter of his journey with
the Tigers, he said he hopes his future is solid at LSU and that he’s happy being home in Louisiana.
“LSU is home. It’s home for me, and for me to come back and play in front of my family and friends, it’s a privilege,” Gray said. “When LSU recruited me, I turned down every other school and told them all that I’m going home.”
 You can reach Michael Haarala on Twitter @haarala_TDR.