In recruiting, sometimes it is about being at the right place at the right time. For Justin Gray, that was certainly the case. Texas Tech head coach Tubby Smith came to watch one of Gray's Florida Select teammates at the Best of the South tournament but walked away intrigued by Gray, a long-armed 6-foot-4 do-everything wing.

The relationship developed since July and Gray, after visiting Texas Tech and Harvard officially, decided he was ready to be a Red Raider.

"To see where I've come from to not even being known and now I'm going to play for Tubby Smith, a legendary coach, hasn't hit me yet. It really is amazing." Gray, a Tampa native, said on Thursday morning.

"I'm blessed to be in this position. Blessed to even be recruited by Harvard, the number one academic school in the world. I'm feeling good right now about my decision."

Gray visited Texas Tech last month and returned from his visit from Harvard on Sunday. He trimmed his list to two on Monday and after considering the pros and cons between both schools, Gray decided it was time to end his recruitment.

"On the visit (to Texas Tech), I felt extremely comfortable with pretty much everything. I felt like I was part of the team when I was there. The coaching staff was so nice and open. They really made it hard for me to go anywhere else," Gray said.

"I saw the developmental part of it, too, with the players and drills they do. Texas Tech has exactly what I want to do academically wise. You add the basketball to that, I just knew and I know Tubby would get me to the place I want to be."

On the court, Gray could develop into a big-time defender. He has one of the longest wingspans in the Southeast and can play multiple positions. He found his groove on the court in July and seems to be making the uptick in his development. That was part of the intrigue on Texas Tech's part.

"They want me to be the face of their rebuilding stage," Gray said. "They want me to an all-around guy that can guard the one through the five, create for others and be able to score. He wants me to rebound and run lanes really well. He knows he I can do all of that stuff and facilitate. He said once he saw me, he fell in love with my game."