Alab Pilipinas high-flyer Jeremiah Gray will be the sole representative of the Philippines in the 2020 The Basketball Tournament.
Gray, a 6-foot-4 swingman, will be playing for Team Hines in the tournament that takes place in the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The competition has $ 1,000,000 at stake in prize money.
Getting to play against and alongside former NBA pros, the 23-year-old plans to relish this opportunity.
“It is a big honor to be a part of this tournament. There are so many players participating that have played at the highest level overseas and also in the NBA, so it is a great honor to even be considered to join this tournament,” he told Tiebreaker Times.
Gray will have a familiar face on his side in fellow Mighty Sports player McKenzie Moore.
Composing the team are NBA vets Marcus Thornton, Nick Calathes, Jerrelle Benimon, Brandon Paul, and Eric Griffin. Completing the team are Gilbert Brown, Alec Peters, Ethan Happ, Tyler Hines, Kyle Hines, Mike Martin, and Isaiah Miles. Serving as team manager is Muhammad Smith.
The last time Gray played in a competitive contest was back in February 23. Then, Alab defeated Saigon, 99-79, in Laguna. The ABL would later suspend its season due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Before the lockdown was imposed, Gray flew back to California to be with his family.
“It’s been a very tough time for everyone, but I have just been working out as much as I can, trying to stay ready for my next opportunity,” shared the product of Dominican College.
The TBT is a knockout tournament, though.
That means that a loss by the 11th-ranked Team Hines to no. 22 Sideline Cancer later at 4:00 am means that their hopes of bagging top prize effectively ends.
Still, Gray hopes that he can help out his veteran-laden squad take the cup.
“My goals for the tournament is just to help my team win as best as I can, and prove that I can play at the highest level as well.”
