Cager guard Grays bids Lions farewell

By VITO FORLENZA
Collegian Staff Writer

The 1999-00 men's basketball season hasn't even started for Penn State, and already the Nittany Lions have suffered their first loss.

Following Penn State coach Jerry Dunn's postseason press conference Monday, at which he looked optimistically to next season's return of seven key players, he was told that number was reduced to six.

Sophomore Greg Grays, the Lions' first guard off the bench for last season's 13-14 (5-11 Big Ten) squad, informed Dunn he would be transferring from Penn State at the end of the semester.

"This decision is 100 percent basketball," Grays said. "I think I can sum it up by saying I just didn't fit into the system -- the entire system. Just the way I fit in the puzzle offensively, I just wasn't comfortable."

Dunn, who was traveling to St. Petersburg, Fla., yesterday for the NCAA Final Four, could not be reached for comment. The fourth-year coach has seen a player transfer after each of his seasons as Penn State coach.

Following the 1997-98 season, small forward Greg Stevenson transferred from Penn State to the University of Richmond; in 1997 guard Ryan Bailey transferred to the UCLA; in 1996 guard Damien McKnight transferred to Florida International University.

"Last year, after my freshman year, I didn't feel too comfortable about the situation," Grays said. "I thought it was something all freshmen feel. But during my sophomore year, my heart just wasn't into it."

This announcement stunned Lions coaches and players, many of who have not had the opportunity to speak with Grays since they were informed of his decision.

"We have not had the chance to sit down individually," assistant coach Chuck Swenson said, "which we will do."

Swenson said once he meets with Grays, which could be as early as today, he will assess Grays' decision more thoroughly.

Assistant coach Mike Boyd, who recruited Grays from Detroit-Lathrup High School in Michigan, said he would not comment on Gray's departure until Dunn addresses the situation.

Grays said he does not have any definite plans on to where he will take his basketball talents. He said he likely will transfer to a Div. I school closer to home, and possibly one that recruited him while he was in high school.

"He was an important part of this team," Lions guard Titus Ivory said. "I'm very sad to see him leave. He was like a younger brother to me. It was a big shock to us."

Grays appeared in all 27 games Penn State played this season, starting in two. While seeing an average of 24 minutes per game, Grays tossed in six points per contest, shooting 35 percent from the field and 34 percent from 3-point range.

After a slow start, he emerged as one of the Lions' best threats from behind the arc, while his smothering defense became the principal part of his game. Such prowess caused the Lions to view him as an integral member of next year's squad.

Grays likely would have shared the Lions' backcourt with guard Joe Crispin, as both would be required to direct the offense with the graduation of sixth-year senior Dan Earl.

"(Dunn) said that the door is still open if I change my mind," Grays said. "But I seriously doubt it."