College Commitment: Gabe Reichle (2020 Wilsonville HS)

Of all of the Class of 2020, Gabe Reichle Gabe Reichle 6'1" | CG Wilsonville | 2020 State OR had one of the most interesting college recruitments. The solid 6-foot-2, 175-pound guard from Wilsonville had the resume as a high-achieving student-athlete both on and off the basketball court, having helped lead Wilsonville to league and state championships while also exceling in the classroom. College interest came from all levels from all over the country but as it turns out, the right fit happens to be just down the road in Eugene as Reichle has decided to continue his playing and academic career at the University of Oregon.

"I reached out to the Oregon staff asking about a walk-on (spot) and I heard back from them pretty quickly," Reichle said. "They said that they’d love to have me. I thought about for about a week, talked about it with my family a lot, and I decided it was the best place for me to develop as a player."

"They’ve got a great coaching staff, great trainers, and good facilities," Reichle continued. "It’s pretty close to home and they have a pretty good business school, which I’m planning on getting into."

Reichle made the decision over a whole host of other options, from scholarship offers from D-II and NAIA schools, spots at high-academic D-III programs both in the Pacific Northwest and the East Coast, and other possible D-I opportunities up and down the West Coast. But in the end, he felt Oregon had the best fit for him and while he won’t get a scholarship right away there could be a chance at earning one down the line.

"When I was on the phone with Coach (Altman), he told me that you’ll earn what you earn and you’ll get a full shot at it," Reichle said. "So it’s all up to me to work my butt off and see what I can do. Going in as a walk-on I don’t have a lot of expectations to play, so my biggest thing this year is developing, getting better and stronger, and doing whatever I can do to help the team get better, do whatever the coaches ask me to do."

After initially starting out high school with more of a reputation as an outside shooter, Reichle made the shift to point guard as a senior and did so seemlessly. He averaged 14.7 points and 5.1 assists while shooting a robust 54.6 percent from the field, showing an improved ability to take it hard to the hole. For his efforts, Reichle earned First Team 5A All-State honors and was a winner on the floor, helping Wilsonville win the 2019 5A title and reaching the 2020 Final Four before the tournament was shut down.

"As he progressed through the program, Gabe assumed a bigger and bigger role, and he was equal to the challenge," said Wilsonville head coach Chris Roche. "He’s a winner, a great teammate, and a tremendously loyal and hard-working young man. We’re very excited for him and about his choice to go to Oregon; it’s a great fit for him and matches who Gabe is and what he wants to do in life right now."

And an added bonus for Reichle - for the 2020-21 season he’ll get a chance to go up against older brother Zach at least two times as the elder Reichle will be in his senior year at Oregon State. It will certainly add just a little more zest to what’s always a big rivalry.

"There really isn’t any adversity with it and he’s super happy for me to have this option," Reichle said. "I think it will be super fun. My brother and I already have a little rivalry going on and we’re playing one-on-one a lot. It will be fun and the family will enjoy it and we’ll have a good time."

Reichle currently ranks as the #8 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2020 rankings.