Recruiting Report: Robert Gillum (2016)
KANSAS CITY — In the midst of a standout senior sesson on the basketball court, Kansas City Center 2016 Robert Gillum had a difficult choice about his future — continue a basketball career at an NAIA or perhaps an NCAA…
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Continue ReadingKANSAS CITY — In the midst of a standout senior sesson on the basketball court, Kansas City Center 2016 Robert Gillum had a difficult choice about his future — continue a basketball career at an NAIA or perhaps an NCAA Division II school, or pursue a Division I football offer?
Gillum chose football and on national signing day, he signed a letter-of-intent to play for Illinois State, choosing the Redbirds over Northern Iowa, Missouri State and North Dakota.
A 6-foot-5, 220-pound tight end, Gillum is in the midst of a standout season on the basketball court. He recently broke the school’s single game scoring record when he put up 43 points in a game against Kansas City O’Hara, and is averaging nearly 18 points per game.
He drew interest from a host of schools, fielding phone calls from Longwood University, Knox College, Central Methodist and Saint Mary’s. But in the end, football won the day.
Center head coach Benny Moore said Kamgain and senior forward Robert Gillum and 2017 guard Franck Kamgain have emerged as leaders for a young team and have helped the squad put together a strong start to the season.
“These are our veteran players, they are three-year varsity players and they are supposed to provide leadership, No. 1, and they are our Nos. 1-2 leading scorers and that is what they have to do night-in and night-out for us to be successful, is score the basketball and lead the team,” Moore said.
A strong, physical player, Gillum is a slasher that can drive and finish through contact, but can also step out and knock down mid-range jumpers. He said his coaches often call him, “‘That guy,'” he said.
“Basically, I’m the engine to the team and I have to keep us together and lead by example,” Gillum said.
“Robert has really improved the past three years,” Moore said. “He’s a strong player, and he can play finesse or power. He has a nice jump shot and he is our spark plug. We go as he goes. When Robert is playing really well, then we play really well.”
Gillum played his grassroots basketball for the KC Pumas, KC Keys and Top City and said the experience helped his game grow. Even though his basketball career is coming to an end, Gillum said he is still working on becoming a more complete player.
“(Playing summer ball) helped a lot because in the AAU circuit you get a lot of good talent and I’ve played against some of the best in the country and it helped me excel,” Gillum said. “I’m trying to work on my ball handling and 3-point shot and deep jumpers, and trying to become a lock down defender.”