Justin Gray is a 27 year old 188cm guard from Charlotte, North Carolina that is playing his firstseason with the Fraport Skyliners. He is versatile enough to excel at point guard as well as big guard. An enthusiastic, high-energy guard who brings a swagger to the team. Gray is one of the team’s vocal leaders, possesses great quickness, and is an exceptional perimeter shooter. He started his basketball career at Wake Forest where he played with NBA superstar Chris Paul. Gray played at wake Forest from 2002-2006 and in his senior year played 33 games: ScoreACC-4(18.2ppg), 3.6rpg, AssistsACC-5(4.3apg), 1.0spg, FGP: 36.7%, 3PTACC-4(36.1%), FTACC-5(83.4%): Finished career ranked 8th in Wake Forest history in scoring (1,946 points), 1st in three-point attempts (860), 2nd in three-point field goals (319) and 8th in assists (382). His 319 career three-point field goals are 7th best in ACC history. In 2006-2007, he started his professional basketball career for Verviers-Pepinster (Belgium-D1): 32 games: 14.0ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.9apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 51.0%. In 2007-2008, he played for Dexia Mons-Hainaut (Belgium-D1, starting five): 36 games: 15.1ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.8apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 46.0%, FT: 89.0%. In 2008-2009, he played for CEZ Basketball Nymburk (Czech Rep.-NBL): Eurocup: 6 games: 15.5ppg, 1.3rpg, 3.8apg; Czech Rep. League: 43 games: 10.9ppg, 1.9rpg, 2.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 77.2%. In 2009-2010, he played for PGE Turow Zgorzelec (Poland-PLK, starting five): EuroCup: 6 games: 9.7ppg, 2.3rpg, 4.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 23.8%, 3PT: 31.1%, FT: 85.7%; Polish League: 30 games: 14.6ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 53.6%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 89.3%. Last season, he played for PAOK Thessaloniki (Greece-A1, starting five): Greek League: 18 games: 11.8ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 46.1%, 3PT: 31.4%, FT: 81.3%; EuroCup: 6 games: 11.5ppg, 1.8rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 40.7%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 79.3%, left in March’11, in Apr.’11 moved to BC Donetsk (Ukraine-Superleague): 16 games: 6.4ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 37.5%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 70.4%2011: Guangzhou Free Man (China-NBL, starting five): 9 games: 24.4ppg, 5.4rpg, 3.0apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 37.8%, 3PT: 41.8%, FT: 85.4%.  He reached the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2004, was Czech Rep. League Champion -09, Czech Rep. Cup Winner -09, and played at the Polish League All-Star Game in 2010. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

You have played against Chevon Troutman in your career. Does he belong to the top centers in the beko BBL?

When he is at his best yes. He is a big key for the success of FC Bayern Munich. I would put John Bryant at the top with him.

How much of a factor was Muli Katzurin for you coming to the Fraport Skyliners?

He was very key for me coming to Frankfurt. I had played for him at Nymburk and know he coaches. Another important reason was that Frankfurt is a great organization and I heard only good things.

Does the Frankfurt skyline remind you a bit of home in Charlotte?

Yes the Frankfurt buildings remind me of there. However the weather is colder since I live in Florida now.

The Fraport Skyliners had a strong preseason, but why has the team struggled then?

I think injuries and losing close games are the main part why we have struggled. The important thing Is that we haven’t lost confidence and have been playing better. We have to continue to fight for victories and get healthy again.

What is the biggest strength of Muli Katzurin?

I think that it is his experience and he has coached good teams. He also has done a good job working with the young players, but also the more experienced players. He and coach Perwass always have us prepared well for games.

How important is getting steals for the team defense. Frankfurt is averaging less than three a game which is low.

We don’t stress steals so much. Important for us is that we keep our man in front of us and contest shots. We have given up too many easy lay ups this season. Nobody is perfect and it is important that the team stick together and when a mistake is made that another guy comes to help.

How happy have you been with your playmaking this season?

I have had good and bad games. I feel fine with coaches offense, but we are still seeing where each guy fits exactly. I always try my best. The most important thing is to win and I hope that I can continue to help the team win games the best way that I can.

What is a hidden strength in your game that isn´t always recognized right away?

I don’t really like to comment about what I do good or bad on the court, but if I had to chose one I would say my basketball knowledge.

Michael Thompson has lauded you a lot this season for your help. How do you help him best?

I try to talk to him during practice with different game situations. He is young and I just want him to do well. He has the tools to be a great point guard. He is getting a lot of confidence now with his extended playing time with my injury.

How much has the self confidence of German national player Tim Ohlbrecht risen?

It has risen and one saw in Munich that he wanted the ball. I keep telling him that he runs the floor so well that he should yell more for the ball in the low post. He and Joe Herber were  a good connection in Munich, but also other players should find him more down low.

You are from Charlotte, North Carolina. What was your childhood like?

It wasn´t too bad, but I grew up in poverty. I was a single child. There were lonely days of me playing basketball alone. Sometimes I would play from sun up to sun down. I always dreamed of playing in the NBA, but, I never dreamed of traveling the world the last years. The experience has been priceless.

Who were your NBA idols as a kid?

Michael Jordan and Penny Hardaway whose number I wore in college.

You played at Wake Forest together with NBA superstar Chris Paul. What are your fondest memories with him at college?

We were roommates and just spent a lot of time together. From worrying about what we would eat at night to working out together and making each other better. We did so much together.I have lived my NBA dream through him. We still talk today and he is happy for my career in Europe.

You also played together with Braunschweig center Kyle Visser. He seems like he still has a lot of talent that hasn´t been shown. What do you remember from him from Wake Forest?

I haven´t seen him play since college. Back then he was a big body, that could run the floor well, had a nice touch, was active and could block shots. I always wish him the best.

You played together with ex Skyliner Konrad Wysocki in Poland at Turow. What fascinated you most about his game?

He was a great guy on and off the court. He was a great locker room guy. He always played hard and worked hard in practice what rubbed off on his teammates. He was a great teammate.

You scored 49 points in China last summer. Was there no defense played in that game?

I made a lot of shots in that game. We were losing in that game, but ended up winning at the end. One has to remember that China has different rules and 48 minutes are played. It is more an up tempo game. Teams count on you to do a lot in games.

What were the most free throws that you made in a row in college?

I made 50 in a row all the time.

What was your most crazy shot that you made in a game?

I broke my jaw against Duke and came back and played against them and in that game I hit a three pointer from the left wing and we won in over time.

Who wins a one on one you or Chris Paul?

In college I won my share of games, but he really has brought his game to a new level in the NBA. He is so quick now. We work out together in the summers and I might win some now, but he is the best point guard in the world. I don’t mind losing to him. He is a competitor and like a brother for me.

How many times has your little son watched your Wurzburg buzzer beater?

He saw it  a few times after it happened, but now he will watch anything that has to do with basketball.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Cars. My son woke up and said Daddy cars!

Thanks Justin for the chat.