JMBP catches up with Hanover College point guard Bryce Gray on his freshman season.
JMBP: You just finished your first college season. Talk a little about how your season went?
Bryce Gray: My season went pretty solid. As a team we finished 16-11 with a semi conference final appearance. Individually, I was able to develop and adapt my skills to college basketball throughout the year in practice and workouts.
JMBP: What was the biggest adjustment from High School to College?
Bryce Gray: The biggest adjustment from high school to college is the physicality and speed. The game is a lot quicker and more body dominant than skill dominant.
JMBP: What are the biggest areas of your game you have to improve on?
Bryce Gray: The biggest areas for me to improve on are gaining more weight and strength to handle the physicality of the game. I also can improve on guarding bigger guards in the open floor.
JMBP: College Basketball is cut throat and nobody cares about your feelings, talk about the mental component it takes at this level?
Bryce Gray: The mental component is definitely real. Coaches jobs are to win at any cost and you have to realize that. You also have to understand that you are good enough to be where you you’re at, but you have to find ways to get in the gym outside of practice to get better individually. Patience is also key because sometimes you just have to wait for your opportunity to be on the floor and you also have to find ways to make light of the position you’re in whether that be you’re starting or you’re the last guy on the bench.
JMBP: How have you been able to balance the rigor of the season and school?
Bryce Gray: The most important thing to do in order to keep a balance between basketball and school is to manage your time well. Take advantage of the times you aren’t in class to get work done or study, instead of watching tv or playing the game. Planning ahead is also important. If you know you’re going to be getting back late from an away game use off days or gaps during your day to get work done.
JMBP: If you could change one thing about this past season what would it have been?
Bryce Gray: I would change how our season ended. We had a really good team and it would have been interesting to see how far we would have made in the NCAA tournament.
JMBP: What are you looking forward to the most next season?
Bryce Gray: I’m looking forward to getting in the gym with the new freshman and starting the journey again to win a conference championship and play in the NCAA tournament
