By JACK LeGWIN
Special to ZAGSBLOG
Alterique Gilbert is ready to be in the discussion as a top guard in the class of 2016.
Gilbert, the starting point guard at Miller Grove (Ga.), saw his stock rise ten-fold at the Phenom Hoop Challenge in Greensboro (N.C.) this past weekend, which included a 32 point performance, as well as the game-winner that advanced Team CP3 to the silver bracket championship game.
“It was a good tournament for me to start off,” Gilbert told SNY.tv. “It was really the first time I got to be on the court with my teammates.”
He will lead Team CP3 on the EYBL circuit this coming summer, opposite of Terrence Phillips creating possibly the quickest backcourt on the circuit this summer, adding to the front court that includes Harry Giles.
“My quickness really came from football when I was younger,” Gilbert said. “I played safety and running back. Football was my first love. But then I transferred over to basketball, and my quickness has helped out.”
Gilbert, listed at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, says that it isn’t just his quickness that makes him successful.
“I would say my versatility and unpredictability,” Gilbert said. “I feel like I have the ability to score, but I feel like I can lead a team as well.”
Gilbert paired with Tulane-bound point guard Keith Pinckney at Miller Grove, and he said that that relationship helped him become a much better player, as well as person.
“Keith was my brother,” Gilbert said. “We spent a lot of time together on and off the court, I got to learn a lot from him.”
Gilbert lists Cincinnati, LSU, Alabama, Georgia Tech as schools that have shown interest recently with Florida State, Cincy and Georgia Tech extending offers.
“I really just want a program that wins,” Gilbert said. “I want a program that lets their guards play and run the floor.”
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