Prospect Spotlight: Ethan Gilbert (2018)
At 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds Ethan Gilbert of Lennox is a three sport athlete who also competes with the Dakota Niners in his spare time.
Gilbert grew with the winter along with many Lennox teammates which helped turn a 2-7 start into a 6-4 regular season finish. For Gilbert it was all about learning how to compete play after play on the defensive end. The physical ability is there and now Ethan has learned how to compete.
“I would say physically, I got a few inches taller,” Lennox guard Ethan Gilbert said. “I’m around 6-foot-2. I worked on my lateral quickness which improved my defense a lot. I would definitely not consider myself slow but my speed needs to improve a little more but it’ll get there!
“I also developed my pull up game and outside jumper. I worked a lot on that and got into the gym and put a ton of shots up. I wanted to become a guy the defense would actually have to worry about (unlike in the past). Now the defense has to close out on me and it really helps to spread the floor and it definitely helps me and my team get more shots up.
“Mentally, I got smarter on the court. I commit a lesser amount of turnovers than before. I make smarter passes and I handle the ball much better than the past.”
Not only did Gilbert in the Orioles win more games and learn how to compete together but they formed a bond that should take them into the future.
“The thing I will take away from basketball is the amazing bond I have with my teammates,” Gilbert explained. “We are all such a close knit family and help each other out like brothers would.
“I’ll always remember that if I ever got down on myself, my team would pick me up and tell me to keep going or keep shooting and making good plays. I’ve had so much fun with AAU & school basketball. There are a ton of amazing experiences that I have taken away. More than I can count. More than I can truly remember, to be honest.”
Ethan is motivated to improve this off-season and he has a plan for how to do that.
“I hope to get stronger with a bunch of weight lifting to help with rebounding,” Gilbert stated. “My rebound numbers need to improve. I want to develop my outside game a lot more and improve my ball handling skills. And overall, develop a higher basketball IQ and understand the game better.”
Ethan is playing with the Dakota Niners and his thoughts on how to AAU to get better as a player could be an add for how AAU basketball helps prepare a player on the hardwood.
“These events have challenged me to work as hard as I can and show people what I’m really made of,” Ethan said. “The style of defense I play has grown to be more and more aggressive after each game because of all the hard work I have to put in to stop the skilled point guards that AAU has to offer.
“I have learned that you can’t take any plays off. You have to be working your butt of 100 percent of the time or else you will not succeed. You can’t slack on defense or else your man will score easily and fake momentum away from your team.
“Also on the offensive side, you have to keep moving and keep working hard or you will not score and you will be easily beaten.”
Ethan is getting better as a hooper, he’s a key receiver on a struggling football team, and he’s a do everything guy on the track and field team.
“In college I would really love to play basketball, football, or even track,” Gilbert said. “I have taken a look at a few schools but I am keeping all of my options open. I’m not too sure of my future with college. I am going for sure. Just not quite sure where yet!”
As far as basketball goes Lennox Coach Paul McVey has to like hearing the words defense and defense again.
“To become a more feared defender. Shoot the ball better. Get quicker and smarter on the court. Basically, I just want to become the best I can be and for people to notice that.”