Jeremiah Gray overcomes ‘toughest’ challenge on the way to PBA comeback

MANILA, Philippines – Jeremiah Gray finally returned to PBA action after what he called the “toughest thing” he had endured.

Gray played for the first time in 19 months as he suited for Barangay Ginebra in its 119-106 romp of NorthPort in Game 2 of the Commissioner’s Cup semifinals on Friday, February 28.

It was his first game since he hurt his right knee in a PBA On Tour game in July 2023, his injury keeping him out of the last three conferences.

“That was the toughest thing I ever had to go through, for sure,” said Gray. “The process was not a smooth process at all.”

“I had a very successful surgery…and then, after that, my rehab was just very up and down. There were times where I felt really good, and then there were days where I just felt like I might never be able to run again.”

The timing of the injury could not be any worse for Gray as it came in the final game of the On Tour, an exhibition tournament the PBA staged before the country’s hosting of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Also, Gray at the time was fast becoming one of the Gin Kings’ reliable players after a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) he suffered in his left knee during a PBA 3×3 game in December 2021 kept him sidelined for 10 months.

Before his last injury, Gray averaged 9.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in the 2023 Governors’ Cup, where Ginebra finished runner-up to TNT.

“I feel like I was playing really good basketball coming off my other ACL injury leading up to the end of the On Tour, and then blowing out my knee in the last game really was very devastating to me,” said the 28-year-old.

“It made my faith very strong in the Lord, and it just made me stronger at the end of the day.”

Mind over matter

Gray finished with 6 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal in his PBA comeback.

He scored on his first attempt — a three-pointer — then completed an and-one play as he logged over nine minutes in playing time.

“It feels really good to be back out on the floor. I tried not to smile when I was out there but I was just really happy and I feel very blessed to be back out on that floor after being gone for [19] months,” Gray said.

Still rusty as evidenced by his 3 turnovers, Gray said he is not rushing to get back to his old ways as head coach Tim Cone eases him back into the Gin Kings’ rotation.

“I’m not going to lie, I’m not in the best shape, like game shape, right now,” Gray admitted.

“But as these games keep going on, if coach finds some time for me to get in the rotation, I can definitely get back in shape and feel good in the next few games hopefully.”

As challenging as the journey has been, Gray said having the right frame of mind allowed him to get over the hump.

“One thing I discovered about myself is that…the mind is very powerful. So, whatever you put your mind to, you can do it,” he said.

“If you tell yourself you can’t, you probably won’t do it. So, the mind is a very powerful thing, and that’s one thing I discovered about myself is how to control my mind.” – Rappler.com