Team Preview: Bishop Gorman Gaels

Winning ain’t easy. It’s hard to win a single basketball game, let alone a championship. Now imagine how difficult winning 9 in a row is. Two years ago I was in a local store the day after the Gaels powerhouse football team lost a playoff game. I stood in silence as the talk turned to what was wrong with the program and why it had fallen on such hard times. That was after one loss! The same type of pressure is applied to the basketball program. Lose a game and the sky is falling, so much that you would think that the fear of losing would consume Championship coach Grant Rice, however, he applies a different POV. "At some point, it’s going to happen, we just don’t want it to be this team," says Rice. This "team" is loaded, with multiple guys at multiple positions with multiple skill sets. Two years ago the Gael's lineup featured players currently attending, LSU, Montana, UCLA, and Western Illinois, however, you could argue the coach’s current team may be better. After so many years and so many wins, I asked the coach what keeps him motivated, and he replied with an answer perfectly fitting for this season’s squad. "It’s fun seeing the younger guys get better". His young guys getting better, should be a scary thought for the rest of the teams in the state. HC Grant Rice 19th Season Division 5A 2020 - 2021 Record 29-3 Key Returners <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Ryan-Abbleman.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1279936 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Ryan-Abbleman-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="859642" first="Ryan" last="Abelman"] 6’2 SG 2022 (#6PHN 2022) - Abelman will be the only player who saw time two seasons ago. He’s one of the top shooters on the west coast and has really improved his off-the-dribble game. He currently has an offer from Northern Arizona, expect him to attract others, with a strong senior season.       <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Darrion-Williams.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1279904 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Darrion-Williams-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1041560" first="Darrion" last="Williams"] 6’6 SF 2022 (#5PHN 2022) - I’m excited to watch Williams play this year. The multi-skilled forward will be a member of my all Swiss Army Knife team. He’s an exceptional playmaker with the ability to pass both from the perimeter and the post. He’s a good barometer for the Gaels ceiling, when Williams is on, he makes players around him better, and with the amount of R&J athletes, and shooters on this squad he’ll be one of the favorites to lead the state in assist.     Key Newcomers <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Jase-Richardson.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1279905 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Jase-Richardson-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="986956" first="Jase" last="Richardson"] 6’2 PG 2024 (#5PHN 2024) - Richardson showed off one of the quickest first steps in the state. An effortless R&J athlete he’s a blur in transition and plays above the rim. The tempo-changing guard is already a big-time prospect with offers from Michigan St, UNLV, and Arizona St.       <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Ryder-Elisaldez.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1279907 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Ryder-Elisaldez-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="986959" first="Ryder" last="Elisaldez"] 6’3 CG 2024 (#4PHN 2024) - Elisaldez will have an impact from both backcourt spots. Another one of the teams, high flyers, he’ll spend a ton of time on the rim this season. The Combo guard is an excellent slasher and an underrated playmaker with the ability to create off the bounce.         [player_tooltip player_id="1236157" first="James" last="Freemen"] 6’5 PF 2022 - Freemen is a transfer from California. A big-time athlete and ultimate glue guy, with the ability to defend, and offensive rebound at a high level. Freemen’s in the category of most bounce on the WC, showcasing that during the workout. The 6’5 Pogo stick hammered home several windmill dunks during the Gael's transition drills. It will be tough enough to defend some of the other BG positions, so I envision Freemen having more than his share of highlights. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Eli-Bradley.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1279908 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Eli-Bradley-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1264213" first="Eli" last="Bradley"] 6’3 SG 2023 - Bradley is a nice pickup. The lefty is a good athlete, who can run the floor and finish in transition. He’s also one of several outside shooters on the club. His ability to knock down open 3’s will open up space for some of the Gaels other athletes.       <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/John-Mobley-2.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1279909 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/John-Mobley-2-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1110114" first="John" last="Mobley Jr"] 5’11 PG 2024 (#6PHN 2024) - It almost feels unfair to add Mobley to this group. He has a wicked handle with the ability to buckle opponents’ knees. Then there’s his strap. Mobley’s one of the top shooters on the West Coast, barely touching the rim on some of his shots. Expect to see him make an appearance on my All Showtime team this year.       <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Anthony-Pittman-2.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1279910 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Anthony-Pittman-2-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1044827" first="Anthony" last="Pittman"] 5’11 PG 2022 (#31PHN 2022) - Pittman is a good on-ball defender that will provide perimeter defense and ballhandling. A cerebral point, with good foot speed, he should find success regardless of the tempo BG plays.         <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Suni-Akoh.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1279911 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Suni-Akoh-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="859666" first="Sumi" last="Akoh"] 6’0 SG 2022 (#54PHN 2022) - Akoh highlights the depth and talent of the squad. He’s another weapon, who defends and should find success in the Gaels wide-open, up-tempo style.         [player_tooltip player_id="986958" first="Anthony" last="Nwuli"] 6’6 C 2024 - Nwuli is the ultimate glue guy, willing to do the dirty work, needed for his team to win. A bruising post, he’ll battle for boards, and bang with bigs. Nwuli will provide frontcourt depth, and playmaking as he has terrific high post passing skills. Sleeper: <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Keanan-Bey.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1279913 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Keanan-Bey-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="856647" first="Keanan" last="Bey"] 6’6 SF 2023 (#4PHN 2023) - This could be Bey’s breakout year. He had a monster grassroots season, showing that he can defend, and score. For this team, he will be called on to do both. The perfect X-factor for the team, Bey has the size to defend post, hedge and switch ball screens, and defend perimeter players.       Top Prospects: <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Chris-Nwuli-3.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1279914 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Chris-Nwuli-3-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1253127" first="Chris" last="Nwuli"] 6’7 SF 2025 - The Gales roster includes one of the nation’s top incoming freshmen. Nwuli is a special athlete with serious run and jump ability. Even on a loaded squad, his potential stands out. He’s good off the bounce, displays good ball skills, and possesses freakishly long arms. The freshman has prototypical size for a college wing.       <a href="https://twitter.com/7outzbballclub1">Follow Prep Hoops</a>