Commission OKs ’08 port budget
December 26, 2007
Sally Duet
December 28, 2007
Adonis Gray recently eclipsed the 1,000 point milestone in Nicholls State’s Nov. 28 loss to LSU.
Nonetheless, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound guard couldn’t care less about stats – unless you’re talking about wins for the Colonels. The selfless leader appreciates the individual accolades, but wants nothing more than to help bring a Southland Conference Champion-ship to NSU.
The SportsNet chatted with Gray about his final season on the college hardwood.
Sports Net: As a member of the NSU basketball team, do you really get to enjoy a Christmas break?
Adonis Gray: Really and truly, no, because most of the time we have to practice on Christmas day. I never got a chance to enjoy Thanksgiving or Christmas for the past four years.
SN: Is this holiday break a little easier to get through knowing that you’ve eclipsed the 1,000-point milestone?
AG: Yeah, it’s pretty good. I didn’t really focus on reaching 1,000 points. Last season someone brought to my attention that I was only 32 points away from 1,000. I was like “Whoa. I didn’t know that.” It’s kind of exciting to be on (Nicholls State) all-time scoring list at No. 20 and to be approaching No. 19. But I mainly want to get into the (Southland) Conference Tournament and I want to help my team out so we can go as far as we can. I think our team deserves that.
SN: How did it happen?
AG: Pretty sure it was on a lay-up against LSU actually, but I’m not exactly sure which point it was. They announced it at home, but it was against LSU.
SN: Was eclipsing 1,000 a goal you had set coming to Nicholls?
AG: It really wasn’t. I didn’t have any idea about 1,000 points or what the records were, or whatever.
SN: You don’t seem to care much about individual numbers.
AG: Never. As long as we win, I don’t care about them.
SN: People assume basketball comes easy to a person that pours in 1,000 points, but has the game always been easy for you?
AG: It’s not a cakewalk. You play against a lot of people on other teams that are just like you or better. You have to work for everything. It’s all about hard work.
Sports Net: How exciting was it getting a chance to play North Carolina, the No. 1 team in the country, last week?
AG: I would say it was the biggest game of my career but it was really no big deal I guess. I’ve played so many big teams that you’re excited, but it’s not what it seems. A big team is a big team, whether they’re ranked No. 1 or No. 5. I treat them all the same.
SN: Let’s hit the rewind button and go back. Who first introduced you to hoops?
AG: I’d have to say it was my dad. I was about 6 when I started playing Biddy (League) basketball. From there, I just started playing year-round with All-Star (youth teams), AAU and Nike League.
SN: After a successful high school career at Thibodaux, why did you choose NSU?
AG: I wanted to stay close to home at the time and I had a good relationship with coach (J.P.) Piper. It wasn’t about where you go, but more about what you do where you’re at. I also kind of liked the atmosphere at Nicholls.
SN: Have you been able to enjoy the college life? Get a little bit of partying in, or has it been a pretty strict schedule?
AG: A little bit, but not the full extent. I don’t think any college athlete gets to enjoy the full extent because you have to do a lot of things with your teams. But to me, all of that stuff is better.
SN: Do anything to unwind from studying and practice?
AG: Really, it’s pretty much wake up, go to school and practice. I play video games – I have a PlayStation 3 and play online multigames.
SN: Any favorite games?
AG: “Call of Duty,” “John Madden 2008,” “NBA 2K.”
SN: The team is off to a somewhat slow start. Have any goals set in place for the remainder of the season?
AG: Right now, just to get into the conference tournament. After that, we’ll try to take it a step further.
SN: What about beyond the next couple of months? Does the game end when the season ends?
AG: It depends on how it works out. If it works out to where I can play after college, that will be good. If it doesn’t, I’ll finish my degree and start working. I’m considering giving it (professional basketball) a shot if it’s there, but if it’s not, it’s not. Hopefully it works out.
Adonis Gray was happy to surpass the 1,000-point plateau, but would rather see Nicholls State capture a Southland Conference title. (Photo by DOUG KEESE
- Nicholls State)
