This is Eric’s second year on the varsity team. Eric has worked very hard in the weight room to add strength to his long frame. This hard work has paid off for Eric as he is easily one of our more athletic players in the program. Eric does many things well for us on the court. He is a terror on the offensive glass and continues to improve his ball handling and shooting skills. His length allows him to disrupt on defense, especially by blocking shots and looking for offensive opportunities in transition. Eric will give us reliable, consistent minutes while he fills up the stat sheet for the Tigers.

This will be Christian’s first year on the varsity team. Christian has worked very hard within our program the last two years as a freshman and sophomore. Christian is very intelligent and understands our philosophies very well. Christian isn’t the most athletic player on the team, but makes up for that by knowing where to be on the court. Christian is a great teammate and is willing to do what is needed for the team to be successful. We are looking for Christian to continue to add strength and develop his skill level as a first year varsity player.

This is Cole’s first year on the varsity as he was a go to guy on our JV team last year. Cole will be competing for playing time at the wing spot for our team this season and brings an ability to make mid range jump shots. We also see Cole as a player who can defend on the perimeter. He is one of the programs better athletes and will have to be able to contribute for us on the defensive side of the basketball. This will be an important year for Cole to develop all around as a varsity basketball player and be a consistent competitor for our team.
 

This is Trevor’s second year on the varsity as he gained valuable experience in a reserve role last year. Trevor will back up the lead guard position for us and also run some wing too. Trevor is a flat out playmaker when he is on the court. His vision and passing are his strengths and he can get guys shots, especially in transition. His hard work in the weight room the last two years is paying huge dividends as his confidence, as well as his coach’s confidence in him, has been continually rising. Trevor has a great attitude and look for Trevor to be at his best in fast paced games.

 

Corey Thomas

Corey, a junior, is starting his first year on the varsity team. Corey is physically one of our stronger players in the program and has the ability to be a lock down defender for the Tigers. Corey has a good work ethic and is one of our toughest players mentally. Corey has also really done a nice job of developing his offensive skills over the last two years from being more of a post player as a freshmen to now someone who has learned how to score on the perimeter. Look for Corey to provide some toughness when on the court this season.

This will be Spencer’s second year on the varsity, as he is one of six Tigers returning with varsity experience. Spencer is one of the best athletes on our team and he continues to improve at making basketball plays. He was able to stretch the floor for us with his perimeter shooting last year and this year Spencer has worked hard to add a mid-range game to his arsenal. He has the ability to put the ball on the floor and can play above the rim. Spencer’s long reach also allows him to swat shots on the defensive side of the ball. When Spencer is determined he can affect the game in multiple ways.

This is Justin’s first year on the varsity. He was a solid contributor for our JV team last season. In the past Justin has been more of a post threat but this season he is working on becoming more of a perimeter player. Justin is a hard nosed player who fits in well with our philosophy. As he continues to develop guard skills Justin will play an important role in practices at the varsity level. Look for Justin to split game time with the varsity and JV squads this year.
 

This is Nick’s first year on the varsity as he ran the point guard position for our JV last year. Nick will back up the lead guard position for us this year and also run some wing too. Nick brings a scoring threat to the position and which puts constant pressure on the opposing defense. Nick has worked hard to develop his overall strength and has put himself in a position to be an effective varsity basketball player. As he gains experience playing against stronger players he will only improve his game.
 

Wyatt is a sophomore and rounds out our group of six returning varsity players. As a freshman Wyatt split time between varsity and JV. He took some bumps and bruises but the coaching staff believes he is ready to make major contributions this season. Wyatt is probably the most versatile player in our program as he can run every position on the floor if needed. He very coachable and learns well for such a young player. At 6’ 9 Wyatt has good ball handling and shooting skills and can play in the paint as well. He is a very difficult player to match-up against with his size and skill set. As Wyatt’s physical strength continues to improve the sky is the limit for this young Tiger.
 

Anthony, a captain, is entering his third season as a varsity player as he started for us the last two years at the lead guard position. Anthony allows us to play at a fast pace and puts tremendous pressure on teams with his ability to push the ball in transition. He is the best distributor of the ball in the program and that Gilbert has had in a long time. Anthony is very strong and can get to the paint off the dribble almost at will. Defensively, Anthony is a warrior and pound for pound one of the toughest players on the team. He plays with a huge motor and activates the ball all the time. Look for Anthony to increase his offensive numbers as he continues to run the show on the court for the Tigers.

Chris is one of two sophomores on the varsity team this year. This will be Chris’s first year of varsity experience as he split time with our freshman and JV teams last year. Chris can flat out score the basketball. As a 6’ 5 wing he creates tough match ups for the opposition as he has developed a nice inside/outside game. Chris needs to continue to add strength and the varsity experience should toughen him up. Although he will sometimes force the issue and take a questionable shot, Chris has a scorer’s mentality and does not hesitate when the opportunity presents itself. We are looking for Chris to develop into a more complete all around player throughout this season.
 

This is Steve’s first year on the varsity team. Steve is also a member of our Gilbert Tiger varsity football squad as that should come as no surprise, given his size and athletic ability. He has worked hard over the last two years on getting in better shape and developing his low post game. Steve has great feet for a big man and is working hard on finishing with both hands. Steve’s bigger frame allows him to be effective in the paint both on the offensive and defensive end of the floor. We look for Steve to continue his skill and foot work at the varsity level.
 

Truman is our second captain in his junior year. Truman logged big minutes as a sophomore and looks to bring even more leadership to the table this year as a captain. Truman gives the Tigers a real threat in the paint as a post player and someone who can guard other team’s bigs. Not only does Truman have a variety of post moves with his back to the basket he has worked very hard on developing an outside shot and face up game. With Truman’s rebounding and shot blocking ability he will help the Tiger’s transition game be a major threat this year. Truman is another player who plays with a high motor and is one of the most vocal players on our team. You will definitely notice his energy when he’s on the court.

This is Byron’s first year on the varsity. He was also a solid contributor for our JV team last season. Byron brings a unique coach’s mind to the table and pushes our experienced varsity players everyday in practice. Byron does not back down from a challenge and is always willing to mix it up. We love the way Byron plays the game and think as he continues to develop his skill level and conditioning he will play a role at the varsity level. Look for Byron to also split game time with the varsity and JV squads this year.