Derek Gray focused on future
<blockquote><p align=justify>BATON ROUGE —Most graduating high school seniors look forward to a summer filled with rest and relaxation.
Former Jeanerette standout and University of Louisiana signee Derek Gray looked forward to summer school and getting back in the gym.
Gray got a leg up on his future classmates and future opponents this summer as he enrolled in classes at UL. He also enrolled in some summer conditioning and weight lifting, which has helped him add a little more muscle to his already sturdy frame.
“I was ready to get back into the gym and weight room and start getting ready for next year,” Gray said. “I didn’t want to relax. I want to start the season in the best shape possible.”
Gray is taking a break from the rigors of summer school this week to take part in the LHSCA All-Star festivities.
“I’m just taking a break for a few days, then I get back to school on Friday,” Gray said. “I feel like it’s a privilege for me to be a part of the All-Star game and be selected as one of the top players in the state.”
Gray, who was named to the Class 2A All-State team, as well as being named the All-Acadiana MVP, is a member of the West squad, joining Acadiana area standouts Colby Bargeman of Northside, Codie Steele of Midland and DeAngelo Lee of St. Thomas More.
“I’m looking forward to playing with those guys,” Gray said. “I’ve played against Colby twice and DeAngelo once. I never played against Codie in high school. It’s going to be fun having them on my team now.”
Gray will also get an opportunity this week to square off against University standout Glenn “Big Baby” Davis. Davis and the Cubs beat Gray’s Tigers in the Class 2A state finals.
“It’s going to be fun playing against him again,” Gray said. “You always want to play against the best and everyone says he’s the best. I think it’ll be a little different this time, because we have a little size on our team.”
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Gray’s approaching this week’s festivities as another opportunity to prepare himself for his future with the Ragin’ Cajun program.
“You’re playing with the best players in the state,” Gray said. “Almost all of these guys will be playing basketball this fall, some of them at big-time programs. It’s good to go up against that kind of competition, see what you are made of, I guess.”
The past week hasn’t been a good one for the UL basketball program, with the firing of head coach Glynn Cyprien, after it was found that he had not received his degree from Texas-San Antonio, as he listed on his resumé.
Assistant coach Robert Lee has replaced Cyprien for the time being. Gray says the players back coach Lee and are eager to get the 2004-05 season under way.
“I don’t really think about it,” Gray said of the turbulence. “I made a commitment to play basketball at the University of Louisiana, and that’s what I’m going to do. I love coach Lee. He’s the man that recruited me. The players love him and we’re going to be there for him.
“We’re just ready to get going. You can tell when we get together and play, we’re starting to click.”
After a high school career in which he averaged nearly 28 points a game in his final two seasons, many are expecting Gray to be an impact player immediately at UL. He says he welcomes the challenge.
“That’s why you play, for the competition,” Gray said. “I don’t think there’s any pressure. There’s pressure no matter where you go. There’s always pressure. I don’t feel it though. I’m just going to go out and play my game and do what I can to help our team win.”
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