Born in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Jay received several basketball offers from American colleges. He politely declined these offers, moved to British Columbia and joined the Simon Fraser University men, quickly establishing himself as arguably the best player in the history of the school. By the time he finished his university career at S.F.U., he held 11 school records including most career points with 2616.

Jay played on the National team from 1978-80 and was captain from 1981 through 1988, appearing in both the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games. He led the Canadian team that beat the United States and Yugoslavia to win Gold at the 1983 World University Games in Edmonton, Alberta.

After retiring from basketball as a player, he accepted the head coaching position at Simon Fraser University. In 1995 he joined the Vancouver Grizzlies as Director of Community Relations, moonlighting as a radio and television commentator during Grizzlies games. In 1999 he was named head coach of the Canadian Mens team and led them to a 5th place finish at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

In 2002, the Toronto Raptors hired Jay as their assistant coach, making him the first Canadian born coach in the NBA.