This spring and summer, we will be conducting a series of features on prospects across the country we see on the circuit. The first profile to interviewed and featured is 4-star guard Christian Gibson of Houston (Texas).
Gibson reflects about the school season at Mayde Creek High School.
“We should have made the playoffs. We didn’t rebound down the way we needed to in close games and we didn’t win enough of the 50/50 plays. It took us some time to learn how to play with each other as a team. We will make it next year, no doubt about that.”
Dad Knows Best
Christian’s father, Joe Gibson is his head coach at Mayde Creek. Christian talks about how it’s been playing for his dad.
“Honestly, I never saw him as a coach because I see him everyday. When I was young I tried to do the opposite but I was immature. I realized when I got older that he really knew what he was doing. He was tougher on me because he didn’t want anyone to say it was favoritism. He would yell at me on the court and he told me, ‘if we are at war, we aren’t going to be whispering to each other.’ I’m very thankful for my dad.”
Reppin’ H-Town
Christian will play on the circuit for the Houston Hoops EYBL program. He’s excited to play with familiar faces from last year’s 16U team that made Peach Jam.
“It’s funny because we started out slow in the EYBL with a losing streak but we got it together and made Peach. I’ll be playing with some of the guys from that team last year and I’m excited about playing the point this summer.”
It’s been a point of emphasis from Gibson to be able to play the point this club season. Known for his scoring, Christian wants to showcase he can make others around him better. I asked him how he will have to adjust.
“It’s not a big adjustment,” Gibson said. “I’m used to just getting buckets but I know what’s a good shot for me because I work on that repeatedly. Still, my decision making will need to be quicker and it’s a balance. My teammates know what I’m capable of and embrace what I do. I won’t have to adjust my shot selection because my teammates believe I can make those just like I believe in them when they shoot. They don’t judge me and I don’t judge their shots as well…. We are confident in each other.”
With several programs requesting his services for the spring and summer, Christian talks about the decision of staying with the Hoops.
“It’s the city I’m from and I wanted to continue to rep that. Also, it’s an EYBL team and this is my last season. I did blow up from playing with the Hoops last year, so I felt they helped put me on the map. Also a big factor is coach Kemp and coach Woods. Some coaches are scared to coach talent, but they don’t care about that and they push me to be better on both ends.”
Recruitment Talk
“The schools hitting me up the most are Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Alabama. I don’t have a school right now that I’m planning on taking a visit to later on, but I’m open to taking visits to schools that really value me and want me there.”
I asked Gibson what a fit look like in regards to college.
“Biggest thing is having a coach that has the most confidence in me…. I know I’ll be a freshman and I’ll have to work my way up, but it’s important to have a coach that will let me play through mistakes. Second thing is I know everyone says family oriented but I want a school and staff that actually follow a family-oriented culture.”
