Recruiting Update: Sam Abere (2020 Lake Oswego HS)
Sam Abere did things a bit differently than most this summer. The tough 6-foot-2, 180-pound guard from Lake Oswego eschewed playing on the AAU circuit, instead choosing to work out individually and with his high school teammates in his efforts…
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Continue ReadingSam Abere did things a bit differently than most this summer. The tough 6-foot-2, 180-pound guard from Lake Oswego eschewed playing on the AAU circuit, instead choosing to work out individually and with his high school teammates in his efforts to improve. It’s a path that has led to some serious Division III college recruiting interest and as he sorts that out, he’s looking forward to having a big senior season.
Abere had previously played club basketball but felt it was worth it to change things up this off-season. “It was a lot of working out here with the guys, hitting up ClubSport every day, but also getting in the weight room a lot with our sports and conditioning trainer,” Abere said. “Mainly I was focusing on myself, working my own game, and trying to get everyone else in the gym.”
“Definitely offensively – defensively hasn’t been a struggle – I worked on getting where my shots are, working on my mid-range, and getting my three down,” Abere continued. “I just honed in on all my offensive skills.”
As Abere worked on his game, he didn’t neglect the fact that he’s also looking at playing basketball at the college level. To that end, he spent some time this summer also working on his recruitment and staying in touch with some schools he has high interest in.
“Whitman, Chapman, and Occidental – those are the three on my main list that I’m looking at going to,” Abere said. “I had a visit with Whitman and that went really well. I’m just seeing how the season plays out and make a decision.”
Abere went more into his visit to Whitman – a program in which former Lake Oswego standout Cory Coombe is currently an assistant. “I got to go through their routine with practice and I got to stay with the guys on campus,” Abere said. “(Coombe) was one of the JV coaches here so I kind of have a relationship built there. All-around it was a good experience and I got a good feel for their culture and stuff.”
Abere will be visiting both Chapman and Occidental after the weekend and get a feel for what those programs and schools have to offer. “I’m kind of going to take notes like I did at Whitman and then compare the three schools together and see which one is the best fit, the one that best fits the culture that I want to be in and the guys that I want to be around,” Abere said. “I did apply early (admission) for all three of those schools so I guess (a decision) will be soonish, probably midway through the season hopefully. I’ll have a decision and then I can focus on finishing out my senior season.”
Speaking of which, Abere is chomping at the bit to get the year going. “I’m super excited,” Abere said. “I love the group that we have – it’s definitely the closest group we’ve had just because all the seniors we’ve played together from the sixth grade all the way up.”
“(Jack) Chlumak came in from Newbeg and he’s a really big piece and I’m super excited for Trace (Salton) to tear it up this year,” Abere continued. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Abere will be playing in this weekend’s PrimeTime Top 40 showcase before heading off on his campus visits to Chapman and Occidental. He currently ranks as the #58 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2020 rankings.