Wisconsin Basketball Bolsters Depth, Adds Strong Roll and Pop Experience With 15th Roster Addition

Wisconsin Basketball Staff Battles Back, Lands Elijah Gray Despite Steep Obstacles

Filling the final roster spot was a difficult task for the Wisconsin basketball staff after joining the race for Gray after the recruit already created a list of schools.

Previously, Oklahoma, Miami (FL), Memphis, Minnesota, and West Virginia had all been closely tied to the forward after entering the transfer portal. The former Temple Owl had been unranked coming out of high school, but earned a three-star rating as a transfer prospect. Gray has transferred once before, joining Temple for one season before seeking another landing spot.

This past season during his lone campaign with the Owls, Gray averaged 9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and shot 48.1% from the field. The forward may not have had the greatest season, but Gray possesses great abilities on the court that will translate well into the Wisconsin basketball team.

Starting with how the forward scores, Gray is a versatile three-level scorer who can hit an open three but also jam a physical dunk home. The forward primarily finishes at the rim and when the 6-foot-8-inch, 235-pound frame of Gray is moving through the lane there are not many players who will stand in the way.

Gray shot 55.3% from within the arc last season while shooting 30.4% from three-point range after cutting his attempts from 84 down to 46. The forward recorded a true shooting percentage of 58.2% last season, which records the overall shooting of a player. Gray has become a more selective player on the court, and the forward often sticks to what he is best at.

With the physicality Gray can provide alongside his ability to shoot the basketball from deep, the forward has become an excellent addition to roll and pop plays. Gray was a major contributor towards the roll and pop production Temple displayed on the court last season. When Gray is on the court for the Wisconsin basketball team, the forward can provide a finishing mentality that adds another layer of depth to the offense.