LSU senior guard Josh Gray’s 2014-15 season can be summed up in one word: inconsistent.
The good: Gray’s creative finishes in the paint reflected his knack for scoring as a junior college All-American at Odessa College in 2014, leading the nation with 34.7 points per game.
The bad: After starting 20-straight games, Gray’s inability to translate his talent into reliable production cost him his spot in the starting lineup, averaging just 16.6 minutes per game after moving to the bench.
The ugly: The Lake Charles, Louisiana, native’s 81 turnovers trailed only former LSU forward Jordan Mickey’s team-leading 101 turnovers despite Mickey tallying 311 more minutes in 2014.
Despite his rollercoaster first season with the Tigers, Gray heads into his last year of eligibility determined to showcase consistent play on the court through hard work and renewed focus.
“To be honest with you, I just need be more consistent,” Gray said at LSU Media Day. “From day one since I’ve been back on campus, I’ve been really consistent. I’ve been taking my job very seriously, and I feel like it’s going to lead to great things for me.”
Gray’s performance in the Tigers’ marquee regular season matchup against then-No.1 Kentucky acted as a microcosm of his season — complete with its own highs and lows.
Coming off the bench, Gray’s layup gave LSU the lead with less than nine minutes left in the second half, aiding a 21-2 run that erased a 13-point deficit.
But Gray’s seven-point outing against Kentucky ended with a costly turnover with under a minute remaining.
With the Tigers trailing Kentucky by one with 50 ticks left, Gray caught the inbound pass, beat a defender one-on-one and drove into the lane. But his wild pass out-of-bounds, trying to avoid defenders in the paint, cost LSU a chance to take the lead.
Although Gray’s turnover didn’t end the Tigers’ shot at an upset, if Gray converted on that drive, the entire dynamic of the game would have changed.
Disappointing moments like this fuel Gray’s desire to improve through hard work.
Working throughout the offseason, Gray said he devoted himself to becoming a consistent player in all parts of the game, from limiting his turnovers to improving the technique of his jump shot.
“I took my worth ethic more serious,” Gray said. “I’ve been working since the day we came back from that North Carolina State loss. I got right back in the gym. I didn’t take any days off. I feel like the hard work is finally paying off for me. I just need to stay consistent.”
The combination of Gray’s determination and the Tigers depth at guard promises a different season for the veteran guard, stemming from an entirely different perspective and role.
Part of Gray’s struggles last season started from the lingering pressure he put on himself to make plays, which will not be a problem in 2015 on a roster filled with talented guards.
Freshmen guards Brandon Sampson, a former Mr. Basketball of Louisiana, and Antonio Blakeney add depth to already stacked guard rotation, featuring senior Keith Hornsby and junior Tim Quarterman.
The competition among the guards during practice generates improvement on a daily basis and gives the Tigers confidence heading into the season, allowing Gray to relax and simplify his role.
“To me, he’s simplified the game a good bit,” Hornsby said at a media session Tuesday. “Just going out there, and really just playing basketball. I think honestly, he’s playing his best basketball right now, as far as being comfortable within what we do.”
Along with his individual work, Gray’s experience bolsters his ability to lead.
Gray’s positive outlook extends to the NCAA violation that ruled him ineligible to participate in the Tigers’ preseason tour of Australia, giving him a one-game suspension to start the season.
“It grounded me,” Gray said. “It made me grow up. I’m more experienced, not on the court, but just in life. People in my situation aren’t going to take plays for granted.”