Sept. 21, 2007

With basketball practice set to begin in less than a month, South Carolina’s website, gamecocksonline.com (GO), will visit with a Gamecock basketball player every few days. The first is sophomore forward Chad Gray – a native of Kingstree, S.C. He played in 14 games last season, at times battling turf toe. He averaged 2.4 ppg in 9.1 mpg after joining the team in mid-December.

GO: What was the most positive thing you have seen from your team so far?

CG: The work ethic has been positive. Everyone has been going hard, trying to get better and get in shape.

GO: When you have a day off, what do you like to do?

CG: I like to rest and sleep. Sometimes I come in here and shoot a little bit.

GO: Who has been a role model for you as a young basketball player?

CG: I look up to Orlando Tucker because I think we have the same type of game. He’s done very well.

GO: How did you get started playing basketball?

CG: I was about 11 I joined an after school program. All the older kids went outside to play basketball and I had nothing else to do, so I went and played with them.

GO: How has your game improved while you’ve been at South Carolina?

CG: I am going hard all the time. My shot has improved – everything has. I am working hard to get better every day.

GO: What is the best advice you have learned from your teammates? Coaches?

CG: If you play together, you win. Play hard and stick together. I have learned work ethic from my coaches. What you do off the court, you do on the court.

GO: What has been your greatest basketball moment so far?

CG: My first game vs. Princeton. I was in there for three seconds and everyone started cheering for me. It was really nice.