Gilchrist making believers in D.C. area

Bouncing between the 16 and 17 year old D.C. Assault teams and playing alongside Mike Beasley and Julian Vaughn, you probably didn't see a lot of Augustus Gilchrist. And if you did, you probably didn't get a real gauge on the kind of player the 6-foot-8, 215-pound forward really is. You will this year.

Gilchrist is gearing up for the upcoming season at Friendly High School in Fort Washington, Md., where his responsibility is bigger this season for head coach Brian Walker.

"I want to see how he handles his chance this year," Walker said.

Judging by the quiet yet impressive summer Gilchrist had, Walker is anticipating seeing the changes he made against the best players in the country against the talent in the D.C. area.

"The one thing you notice about him is that he's a lot stronger than he was last year," Walker said. "His confidence is really up. He's definitely going to be a force inside the post for us this year. Over the summer, he was going up and dunking on seven-footers and his all around game is really coming around."

Don't take Gilchrist just at face value though. He has the ability to step away from the bucket and show off an improved face up game as well.

"Augustus isn't just an inside guy though," Walker said. "He can handle the ball, he can shoot it 10 feet and out and even go beyond the arc. I really think he has a large upside."

College coaches are beginning to take notice of that large upside. Maryland, Miami, Pitt, South Florida and Virginai Tech have all been by to see him in open gyms this fall. Gilchrist has unofficially visited Maryland and Virginia Tech in recent weeks.

Walker said the Hokies love him.

"Coach Greenburg really wants to get him in Blacksburg," Walker said.

Don't be surprised to see that same sentiment at the season's end from other high-major programs.