Prospect Spotlight: Milton Gage (2019)
With the departure of valuable 2017 guards within the Chaminade Julienne program, it’s time for a young point guard to step up. By the looks of it, expect Milton Gage (2019), a scrappy and quick 5’11” prospect, to be that guy.
“When a lot of attention was focused on Christian [Montague] and P’hariz [Watkins] being the main scorers, I was like the silent killer that could score when the attention wasn’t focused,” Gage explained, as it pertains to last season.
With June beginning tomorrow, the un-recruited incoming junior understands that the time is now for him to step up.
“Obviously those were like our biggest scorers and carried the team most of the time. Now, it’s my turn. Definitely going to be all on me to score and, you know, pick up exactly where they left off. I think I’m ready for it. I think they both helped me prepare,” Gage said.
For those in Southwest Ohio and beyond who are unfamiliar with what Gage will bring to the table, you can get a taste of it in July with Team Flyght.
The Dayton-based program, which Gage is the starting point guard for, played a thriller against C2K Elite in Reynoldsburg few weeks back at the Super 16, where Gage battled against some of the premier point guards in Ohio. He primarily affects the game with effort, bursts of speed, and court vision.
“Given my size, people may think I lack some athleticism. But, my speed and my quickness helps me get around defenders and get up the court, maybe quicker than some people may think … I’m able to use my leaping ability and my quickness to my advantage, to help myself on the court,” Gage said.
— Anthony Garcia (@nthonycgarcia) May 21, 2017
With the added expectations next season, Gage told Prep Hoops that he’s in the gym 6-7 days a week currently. He’s working on both skills and physicality.
“Lately I’ve been working on my transition shooting, like coming down the court and pulling-up over the defense. Making sure I’m exploding and getting my shot up, elevated over those bigger defenders. Finishing through contact is one of those things I’ve been working on. Finishing with both hands around the rim,” Gage said.
While he is not the most physically imposing guy, Gage seems to be working on ways to use his height to his advantage. We see that quite often with “under-sized” guards, as they can get into spots that become awkward to defend.
As far as academics go, Gage carries a 3.5 GPA and is yet to make an attempt at the ACT.