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Phoenix Suns Sign Josh Gray to a 10-day contract

By Khaleel Abdullah

MISSISSAUGA, ON - JANUARY 10: Josh Gray #5 of the Northern Arizona Suns celebrates and shakes hands with teammates after the game against the Erie BayHawks on January 10, 2018 at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Ontario Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by AJ Messier/NBAE via Getty Images)
MISSISSAUGA, ON - JANUARY 10: Josh Gray #5 of the Northern Arizona Suns celebrates and shakes hands with teammates after the game against the Erie BayHawks on January 10, 2018 at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Ontario Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by AJ Messier/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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With the recent season-ending injury to Isaiah Canaan, the Phoenix Suns were down to only Tyler Ulis at the point guard position. They may make another change there before the trade deadline but for now they have added former G-league standout, Josh Gray.

It’s been a journey for Gray to say the least. He bounced around schools before flying clear across the country (Atlanta to Prescott) to pay $150 out of his own pocket just to try out for the NAZ Suns. The team liked him and invited him to training camp and he eventually went on to make the team.

After being counted out, he bet on himself and it paid off.

Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns /

Phoenix Suns

Gray averaged 17.9 points, 6.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game on 42% accuracy from downtown. Those aren’t just good numbers, they’re very good. He left the NAZ Suns as their all-time leader in points, assists, and steals, the three main stats you want out of any point guard.

Gray also won G-League Player of the Week honors recently when he shot 56% from the field while averaging 24.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 6.0 steals per game showing a spectacular all-around game.

After signing a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns, he is now in the NBA.

“It’s kind of surreal. I kind of still don’t believe it that I’m actually in the NBA right now,” he said in an interview with local reports. “This was the goal, this was the vision. I prayed so much. I worked so hard; and I’ve been through a lot and that’s why it’s, like, more rewarding to me and my fan base. But I’m just happy to be here, I’m grateful and I’m going to maximize the opportunity.”

You have to feel good for the hometown kid. He lost his mom when he was 16-years-old, but worked his butt of despite such profound adversity, and is now living out his dream. His mother has to be looking down, smiling at his accomplishment through hardship.

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This is one of those stories that makes one love the game even more. Here’s to hoping he plays his heart out and makes a name for himself with the big club. Whether it’s here in Phoenix on this 10-day contract, a second 10-day, or a full season contract in the desert or somewhere else. Let’s wish him nothing short of the best.

He bet on himself for a reason.

Now it’s time to do the rest of the work.

Good luck Josh.

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