Alief ISD Winter 2024

TAYLOR GIRLS BASKETBALL

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Nataliyah Gray

Gray Expecting Another MVP-Caliber Performance MADE THIS F O R

\\ By Matthew Ogle

Despite only being a junior, Gray is garnering the attention of numerous collegiate teams. The reigning District Offensive MVP has a clear picture of what she’s seeking from a potential college program. “In a school, I’m looking for an environment of family and community,” said Gray. “For me, that’s what I hope for. Where ever I’ve played, it’s always been about the coach. I want to make sure I’m comfortable in the system and love the atmosphere that I’m in...a coach and program which believes in me and gets me to where I want to go.” With a 6-foot-3 frame and another two seasons remaining on the high school court, the sky’s the limit for Nataliyah “Tally” Gray.

Most of my techniques come from her.” While it might have taken some time, Gray ultimately realized that she was meant to be a basketball star. “It was in seventh grade,” said Gray. “I think I finally started to have fun playing it. I wanted to play it, I wanted to learn it. That’s what made me start to really think, ‘Is this something that I can see myself doing in the long run?’. Come to find out, it was. I watch a lot of WNBA and college basketball, and now that’s the dream.” Perfecting her craft takes up the majority of her schedule. But, what does Gray do to take the edge off? “TikTok,” she laughed. “I know everybody knows about TikTok, and that is my thing. I could be on that App all day. I also love to watch movies and I’ll occasionally play some video games, but most of my free time is spent on TikTok.”

EVERY SO OFTEN, A TEAM IS GRACED WITH AN INDIVIDUAL WHO CAN ELEVATE THEIR PEERS, JUST BY BEING ON THE COURT. For Alief Taylor, junior Nataliyah Gray fulfills that role with style. Since coming onto the scene Gray has dominated, scoring over 20 points a game to propel the Lions into the postseason ever since she has graced the court. Given her background in the sport, her prowess comes naturally. “My Mom (Chontel Reynolds) was a professional and my Dad played basketball as well, so it’s always been in my life,” she said. “When you’re around basketball, eventually you’re either going to like watching it or you’re going to play it. “For me, it was mostly been my Mom’s influence, making me love the game... teaching me about it.

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ALIEF ISD \\ WINTER 2023 \\ vype.com