National Signing Day was special for a few local recruits, but the big winner of the day might end up being the Fort Lewis Skyhawks women’s basketball program and head coach Jason Flores.
After what was a four-year recruiting process, Flores pulled a rabbit out of his hat Wednesday and landed the nation’s No. 26 recruit, Vivian Gray.
Gray, from Argyle, Texas, bypassed schools like Baylor and Texas to be with big sister Olivia, who is redshirting this season, and play basketball for the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks. The girls’ mother, Lisa, also spent time at FLC.
“She has some family ties here and this is what she thought would be the best fit for her,” Flores said in a phone interview with The Durango Herald. “With Olivia being here and Vivian’s good friend Delaney Sain, I think that made it easier. It’s rare to a player of this caliber in Division II, but they’re a tight-knit family that loves Durango and we’re obviously thrilled to have her.”
Gray is the 26th-ranked player and seventh-ranked forward in the nation according to ESPN’s HoopGurlz rankings. At 6-foot-1, she can play a variety of positions and has a well-polished game inside and out. Argyle High School has won two state titles in the three years she’s been there, and Gray led the team last year with 22 points and eight rebounds per game.
“She can play anywhere,” Flores said.
“She isn’t the most physically imposing player, but her skill set is off the charts. She can handle the ball, shoot, rebound, pass and just has a great feel for the game.”
Fort Lewis opens its season at 11 a.m. Friday against Texas-Permian Basin in Portales, New Mexico.
jfries@durangoherald.com
