BCL: Record-breaking Gray named MVP of the Month for October

 – Steven Gray of Peristeri has been named MVP of the Month for October in the 2020-21 Basketball Champions League, following his record-breaking showing in his team’s win at Rytas Vilnius on October 27th.

I was surprised when my wife told me, breaking a record hasn’t ever been something I’ve given much thought to – Steven Gray

The Peristeri shooting guard registered a BCL all-time high Performance Efficiency Rating (PER) of 47 on the night, to lead his team to an 106-88 road win in their Group E premiere.

Gray is well-known in basketball circles on both sides of the Atlantic for his unassuming nature, and it turns out that even such a momentous occasion was not enough for him to seek out where his achievement ranked. Luckily for him though, his better half was watching.

“I am humbled to receive the recognition. My wife was the one who messaged me that it was a new record later that night,” the 31-year-old American told championsleague.basketball.

“I was surprised when she told me, breaking a record hasn’t ever been something I’ve given much thought to.

Our roster has a quality that will make it difficult for teams to decide what they will try to take away from us and what they are willing to risk – Steven Gray

Gray tied the BCL record for most made triples in a single game, as he knocked down 10 treys on 13 attempts in Vilnius. The only previous player to hit 10 threes in a BCL game, Jimmy Baron, had needed 15 attempts.

“My mindset throughout the game remained the same and that was to trust my shot,” Gray said.

“My teammates were supporting me with extra passes, setting screens and spacing the floor and with that came good looks at the basket.

“Our aim should remain the same as it has since our first days together, which is the next day and the next game and try to improve day by day,” he said.

“I believe you have to always strive to improve and each year with this club we have continued to move forward. I am hopeful that this is a trend that can continue.”

Does something similar apply to his PER record too? Will that continue to stand for a long time?

“I’m not sure, the great thing about basketball is that anything can happen,” the October MVP replied.

“With how much the competition has grown and the caliber of teams and players in the BCL, all I can say with any certainty is I’ll have the record for at least a week.”

What a week though it has been.