What is a pride?

A pride is a group of lions that hunts together, united under a common goal: survival. Senior guard Jalen Ray guides a pride of his own.

“This team is family,” Ray said. “Everyone is from different parts of the world and we all come together.”

The Hofstra men’s basketball team has many contributors, but Ray is the head of the pack. His 18.6 points per game, 36.9 minutes a night, 135 field goals, 54 three-pointers and 36 steals lead the squad.

A coming-out party set the tone for a successful final run. In the 2020 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Championship, Ray notched 17 points and eight boards to earn a CAA All-Tournament Team selection. “Winning the CAA Tournament was my favorite memory with the Pride,” Ray said. “That moment was everything.”

The Northeastern University Huskies held a 48-44 lead with eight minutes remaining, and at that point, the Pride had converted only one of their last eight shots.

Enter Ray. After a second-chance layup by Elijah Pemberton, Ray hit back-to-back daggers from deep, giving the Pride a 52-48 lead. Hofstra never looked back. “That game was important,” Ray said. “I showed what I could do for the team when I made big plays for us to win.”

Thanks to Ray, the Pride earned an NCAA Tournament berth for the first time in 19 years. “It meant so much,” Ray said. “We lost to Northeastern the year before so finally getting over the hill was amazing.”

But the NCAA Tournament never happened. March Madness was canceled on March 12, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Ray lost his chance to win it all. “COVID-19 showed us that you never know when something could stop,” Ray said. “You should put your all during the moment.”

Ray’s final campaign featured a similar narrative. The Pride had to change their entire offseason regimen, implement new guidelines and play an entire season in front of no fans.

“You never knew when you were going to play and when you were going to stop over the last few months,” Ray said. “You could have a two-week break so you have to stay in shape and stay consistent.”

In fact, the Pride did have a two-week break. The team paused all team activities on Monday, Feb. 15, because of a positive COVID-19 test within the program, ending Ray’s regular-season career with the Pride.

This was the culmination of the rollercoaster that is athletics during a global pandemic. However, Ray and the Pride used the pause to focus on life off court.

“We had a lot more time for academics,” Ray said. “The coaches emphasize the importance of school. We are student-athletes. Student comes first.”
In that department, Ray has thrived. “My time at Hofstra has been pretty good,” Ray said. “I am a better person than I was before. It has opened my eyes up to everything else in the world.”

The Hampton, VA native joined the Pride in 2017 searching for a fresh start after earning All-Virginia, all-region and all-conference first-team accolades during his senior season at Hampton High School. He was named the Conference Player of the Year. 

“I wound up at Hofstra because I knew I needed a new start,” Ray said. “I wanted to major in business and this is a good business school. It was a great opportunity for basketball too …  But since then, I have switched to a liberal arts major. Some classes had lawyers in there. Still, I kept a minor in business.”

During his first season, Ray played behind Justin Wright-Foreman, Desure Buie and Pemberton, a trio that helped the Pride become a perennial CAA powerhouse.

“[Buie] showed me the way when I first came here,” Ray said. “[Coach Speedy Claxton], Wright-Foreman and Pemberton have been role models for me too. They have helped me get to where I am today.”

Ray has been on a fantastic journey. Now, he is the leader of a group of players united under a common goal: victory. Buie and Pemberton ended their CAA careers as champions. Ray has plans to do the same.
“My plans?” Ray said. “I mean, it is just to be determined right now. My focus is completing my year at Hofstra, graduating and winning a championship [with] the Pride.”

This would be the icing on top of the cake of Ray’s illustrious four-year Hofstra career. He has made memories playing basketball, but learned many lessons off the court too. “Never let anybody change you,” Ray said. “Be yourself. Do not be somebody you are not.”

Ray will not change for anyone. He will not quit on his quest to win the CAA Tournament and go dancing once and for all.

“Three games, three wins,” Ray said. “We simply want to repeat as CAA champions.”

Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics