Well-traveled Gray headed home

Chadwick Gray's journey to college athletics has been interesting to say the least. The 6-foot-7, 200-pound small forward was a one-time Florida State football commitment is now at the prestigious IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. playing hoops. And hoops is what he'll play at the next level when the Kingstree, S.C. native returns home.

Gray is a bit different than most college bound athletes. He's got great size that is complimented by great speed (4.43 40 yard dash time). He is close to , if not over, a 40-inch vertical jump. He's tough and he even committed to Bobby Bowden and the Florida State Seminoles football program. With all of the physical tools that the big time gridironers have, one part of his body just wasn't in it for football.

"My heart wasn't there," Gray said. "If I'm going to play something, I want to be able to give it my all."

That's good news to the University of South Carolina. The powerful, athletic and versatile forward verbally committed to the this week.

"I told them that I was coming there because it's close to home and just see myself playing there," he said.

Of course, watching the Gamecocks upset Kentucky at home probably helps matters, too.

"Oh, I was watching," Gray said. "That helped a lot. I watched the whole thing."

Having former AAU teammate Dominique Archie signed with USC helps, too. The 6-foot-7 forward for Augusta (Ga.) Josey High School is headed to Columbia next season. Together, Gray hopes they can help pick up the SEC program even more.

"Me and Dominique are like brothers. I stay with him a lot over the summer," Gray said. "We're very tight. I think we'll help a lot. We're both very athletic and we can rebound. We'll do whatever they want."

Gray is still a raw offensive product but his ability to attack the basket has been tough to stop for defenses at the prep level. Still not academically eligible, Gray has been working hard in the classroom to get ready for college. He's reclassified to the class of 2006 and USC has still not officially offered a scholarship. Sources said they will once Gray's academics improve.