Introducing Fremonts Gabe Kindred

When Fremont High's savior, Jeremy Franklin, was ruled residentially ineligible, many thought the Tigers' season was over. However, Gabe Kindred picked up the scoring slack and helped lead Fremont (Calif.) into the playoffs. Kindred averaged 15 points and five assists a game and he was named second team All-Oakland Athletic League. The 6-foot guard has also attracted the attention of college coaches looking for a lead guard who can shoot and distribute the ball.

Schools looking at Kindred include UTEP, Fullerton, Pacific, St. Mary's, Western Kentucky, Colgate and Utah State. Ray Young, the head coach of the Oakland Rebels 17s, says that Kindred's hard work is something that should impress college coaches.

"Gabe has always been a hard worker since I met him when he was 10 years old," said Young. "He is a gym rat. He is always doing something to get better, as far as running, working on his game or focusing on getting better."

Kindred is a scoring guard who can shoot from deep but he is also a heady player and a student of the game. While not overly athletic, Kindred plays the game the right way and has the ability to make players around him better. Concerning his recruiting, he does not have any favorites at this time and says he is open to new schools.

"I do know that I want to play in an up-tempo system and a program that runs good sets," said Kindred. "I also want to play for a program that has a good coach that is a teacher of the game."

"One of Kindred's best attributes is his ability to lead," said Young. "Gabe is a great leader, who brings a winning attitude. He hates to lose."

Fremont coach, Frank Knight, echoes this sentiment. "[Gabe] is a competitor and he is one of the few kids that takes winning personal," said Knight. "He is a tremendous competitor. In practice doing drills, he tries to get everyone else to compete with him. That is why I like him."

While interested schools span various regions throughout the country, location will not be a determination in selecting a college destination, according to Amir Raheem, Kindred's father.

"I want my son to go somewhere where he can be happy," said Raheem. "Somewhere he can develop as a player and student. Location does not matter. East, West, North or South. Right now, we are trying to get his academics together and finish this year strong."

While Raheem stated he wanted his son to get his academics in order, Kindred carries a 3.3 core grade point average and he scored over 1200 on a recently taken SAT.

For his part, Kindred is taking the recruiting process slow and considering all his options. "I do know that I want to go somewhere, where I can come in and play," said Kindred. "Somewhere, where I can make an impact while I am there."

Kindred and the Oakland Rebels club team will be on display at the Houston Kingwood Classic and the Pump N Run Spring Classic in Las Vegas. Their summer schedule includes the Denton Great American Shoot-out in Texas, adidas Three Stripes tournament in Southern California and Super 64 in Las Vegas and back to SoCal for the Best of Summer tournament to finish the season.