Catamount Head Coach Justin Gray

HEAD COACH JUSTIN GRAY

second season at WCU

JUSTIN GRAY was named the 19th head men’s basketball coach at Western Carolina University on April 13, 2021. He scored his first career victory as a head coach in a thrilling overtime win over Bowling Green on Nov. 9, 2021, in his first game as Catamount head coach.

Gray came to Cullowhee after serving two seasons at Winthrop University and he had initially made the move to the College of Charleston with the staff's hiring in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Before his time in Rock Hill, Gray served as the Director of Basketball Development within the Deacon Club at his alma mater, Wake Forest, which came on the heels of a successful 12-year professional playing career overseas. At Winthrop, Gray helped guide the Eagles to 47 victories over the past two seasons including a 24-10 mark in 2019-20 and a 23-2 campaign in 2020-21. Winthrop claimed the 2021 Big South tournament title and earning the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. With Gray helping coordinate the offense, Winthrop led the Big South with a 78.9 point per game average with a league-best 15.0 assists per game and 8.4 made 3-pointers per contest. A three-time All-ACC selection in his playing career at Wake Forest (2002-06), Gray left Winston-Salem as one of the program’s most prolific 3-point shooters. He scored 1,946 career points over 120 career games for the Demon Deacons, finishing his career ranked eighth in program history in scoring while average 16.2 points per game. Gray continues to rank second on Wake’s career 3-pointers made chart with 319 treys and holds three of the top six spots among the school's single-season 3-pointers made list. In his sophomore season, Gray and eventual first-round NBA draft pick Chris Paul teamed up to become one of the best backcourts in the ACC as Gray averaged 17.0 ppg on his way to All-ACC First Team honors. In 2002-03, Gray played a role in helping Wake to an ACC Regular Season Championship with a 13-3 league mark. His collegiate career plaudits also include being named to the ACC All-Freshman team, as well as a three-time USBWA All-District Team and two-time NABC All-District Team selection. During his 12-year professional career overseas, Gray played for various teams from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Poland, Greece, Ukraine, China, Germany, France, Turkey, Lebanon, Bulgaria, Romania, and Belarus. He also had a couple of stints in the NBA Summer League. Gray won three Belarusian League Championships and three Belarusian Cup Championships. He also guided teams to a Czech Republic League and Cup championship as well as participating in the VTB United League All-Star Game in 2016.

Originally from Charlotte, N.C., Gray played at West Charlotte High before concluding his prep career at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. He has two sons – Justin, Jr. (JJ) and Kristian – and a daughter, Jhai.

THE JUSTIN GRAY FILE

PERSONAL:

Hometown: Charlotte, N.C. Family: Justin Jr. (son), Kristian (son), Jhai (daughter)

EDUCATION:

Wake Forest, 2006 – 3x All-ACC selection

COACHING EXPERIENCE:

WESTERN CAROLINA........ Head Coach .......... 2021-present

• 1st career victory – vs. Bowling Green in overtime (11/9/21) Winthrop............................Assistant Coach ...................2019-21

• 47 wins between 2019-21 at Winthrop • Big South tournament title in 2021 • Led the Big South in scoring (78.9 ppg) and 3-pointers made (8.4)