Four-star point guard likes five
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During his junior season, four-star point guard Alterique Gilbert and his high school team were unable to extend their state title streak to seven. With that bitter taste in his mouth, the 6-foot-0 point guard at Lithonia (Ga.) Miller Grove has hit the grassroots circuit with vengeance.
Miller Grove suffered a loss in the state quarterfinals ending their streak of six straight state titles. Currently ranks No. 77 in the class of 2016, Gilbert is going to make a climb after a big spring playing in Nike's Elite Youth Basketball League.
This spring, Gilbert has shown an improved jump shot to go along with his quickness and ability to make plays. He's averaged 16.8 points and 4.2 assists per game while leading Team CP3 to an EYBL best 11-1 record. While his offense has been good, Gilbert has been focusing most on his defense and he credits his high school coach Sharman White for reinforcing that mindset.
"I like defense," said Gilbert. "A lot of people take AAU as scoring and all of that. I like to sit down and lock up a big name or a big-time player. I really enjoy doing that.
"Coach White has taught me a lot on and off the court. That's why I take so much pride in my defense."
On the recruiting front, Gilbert has a final five of Connecticut, Illinois, Louisville, Syracuse and Texas. He took his first official visit to UConn during the spring and enjoyed the campus and program. Coach Kevin Ollie stood out to him for his ability relate to players and for his ability to persevere for several years in the NBA while playing for 12 different teams.
"For me being a point guard, a small point guard and Kevin Ollie being able to fight through adversity like that for 13 years stands out," said Gilbert. "Playing for many different NBA teams, it showed how hard he worked."
Though he hasn't set dates just yet, Gilbert says that Louisville and Illinois will likely be his next two official visits but he's not in any rush to make a choice and doesn't have a set timetable.
"I'm not really sure right now," said Gilbert. "I'm just planning to take my time with the entire recruiting process because I want to be sure that I make the right decision. Everybody is pretty much taking the same approach. All of the coaches are giving me good advice and tips on my game so I'm just taking it and learning it."
In the meantime, Gilbet is focused on finishing out his last summer of grassroots ball strong. He's also thinking about starting a new state title streak at Miller Grove.
"We have to start that streak again," said Gilbert. "It kind of hurt to lose that streak. It showed us that we can't get complacent with anything and that we still have to work and still have to improve."
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