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UNC Women’s Basketball: A freshman who aims to impact frontcourt

By Nick Delahanty

Apr 2, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels mascots Rameses performs after a Tar Heels victory over the Duke Blue Devils during the 2022 NCAA men's basketball tournament Final Four semifinals at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels mascots Rameses performs after a Tar Heels victory over the Duke Blue Devils during the 2022 NCAA men's basketball tournament Final Four semifinals at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports /
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Our UNC women’s basketball player previews continue with an incoming freshman who has the potential to make an impact in the frontcourt.

A few weeks ahead of the start of the college basketball season, the UNC women’s basketball program announced that two of its five true freshmen are planning on redshirting for the 2023-2024 season in an effort to rehab previously suffered injuries.

Although the news is disappointing for Courtney Banghart’s team, the good news is that the program still has three incoming freshmen who can make an impact right away.

One of them is RyLee Grays, a 6-foot-3 forward from Pearland, Texas. Grays was regarded as a top-100 player in her class, as she was ranked as the No. 90 overall player in the Class of 2023 by HoopGurlz.

With a talented roster at Banghart’s disposal, can Grays carve herself a role right away to help this year’s team succeed?

Prior to North Carolina

Grays is coming off a tremendous senior season at Pearland High School, where she averaged 16.6 points and 10.7 rebounds to help lead her school to district and region championships as well as a state championship appearance. She was named the Houston Chronicle Player of the Year as a result, capping off her strong high school career.

On the EYBL circuit,  Grays competed for CyFair Elite. She was a part of the program’s squad that won the 2022 Nike National Championship.

What to Expect in 2023-2024

The UNC women’s basketball program’s frontcourt is rather crowded, but there is room for Grays to earn some minutes.

Not only can she score the basketball, but is also an above-average rebounder, a skill that could earn her some playing time. Playing alongside the likes of veterans Alyssa Ustby, Anya Poole, and Maria Gakdeng should also help her develop her skills, as this year’s team takes some of the pressure off of the newcomers as they look to transition to the college level.

Bold Prediction

Grays is going to be a key player among the Tar Heels’ frontcourt.

You can’t teach height, and with her combined physical attributes and skillset, she’s a player that could be relied upon early on.

Of course, it’s always good to have depth, especially when dealing with the likes of foul trouble and potential injuries. The UNC women’s basketball program’s frontcourt seems to be in a good spot, especially if Grays can contribute right from the start.

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