Amber Gray
Bio
Lakota West Class of 2008: Basketball and Volleyball
Amber was a McDonald All American, Nike1st Team All American and Parade 1 st Team All American in basketball. She is the only such honoree in Lakota School District history. Amber was the All Ohio Player of Year in basketball. Amber was named All Ohio in two sports, 4 years for basketball & 1 year for volleyball. Amber was a 3-time GMC basketball Player of Year (only boy or girl ever so honored, either at Lakota or within the league) and four time All GMC 1st team. She was named GMC 1st team for volleyball. Amber is the all-time Lakota School District Basketball Leading scorer with 1931 career points, boys or girls and the all-time Lakota Basketball Leading rebounder with 925 career, boys or girls. Amber's jersey number is the only one ever retired at Lakota West. She is a member of the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame.
Amber's teams had great success on the court. In basketball her teams won
two GMC titles, went to Regionals her sophomore and junior years and
finished as State Runner-Up her senior year. In three volleyball seasons,
her teams won two GMC Championships and were Regional Semi-Finalists.
Amber earned a scholarship to the University of Tennessee. The legendary
coach, Pat Summit, recruited her. In April of 2009 she injured her left
shoulder during a post-season practice, which led to her having shoulder
surgery in July. Following a routine surgical procedure to repair a torn
labrum, Amber suffered a hemorrhagic stroke and ruptured brain aneurysm.
She stayed home in Cincinnati for rehabilitation before being medically
cleared to continue her education and to play basketball with Xavier
University. She finished her basketball career by earning All-Conference
honors.
After graduation, Amber coached at Kennesaw State University and Wright State University. In 2016, Amber began her professional basketball career in Europe. Amber is the founder of WHERE2NEXT.
Favorites
BOOK FOR LEADERS: I love Jon Gordon books for leaders. One of my favorite is The Energy Bus.
ATHLETE: Favorite basketball player is Kobe Bryant on the court but overall it would have to LeBron James. I look up to him and all he is doing for Akron because I hope to do the same in our community.
PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAM: LA Lakers
SPORTS MOVIE: Coach Carter
INSTAGRAM: @where.2.next
QUOTE THAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU: "Believe in something even if it means sacrificing everything."
IF YOU KNEW THEN WHAT YOU KNOW NOW…WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THE HIGH SCHOOL AMBER?: It is okay to be YOU... don't lose who you are trying to fit in. If someone does not like you that is on them.
THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING A FIREBIRD WAS… the sense of community.
CURRENT JOB: I am the assistant manager for Oakley, Business Owner (WHERE2NEXT), basketball coach at Lakota Plains, and Professional Women's Basketball Player