By SAM LANCE
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — Class of 2025 three-star point guard Gavin Hightower will take an official visit to Iona starting Aug. 28, he told ZAGSBLOG.
The 6-foot-1, 165-pound guard from Sierra Canyon (CA) and the Vegas Elite Nike EYBL AAU program, has also been hearing from Long Beach State, Loyola Marymount and Santa Barbara. LMU is the only school Hightower has visited so far in the process, and that was an unofficial.
The point guard broke down these programs to ZAGSBLOG at Peach Jam:
Iona: “It’s been coach Tobin [Anderson], the head coach. I love how they use their guards, you know, a lot of ball screens. Just playing through their guards because they want them to make the most plays. So that’s really been the best thing for me because that’s what I like to do. Use ball screens, get my teammates involved, also score.”
Long Beach State: “They’ve been the most recent school I’ve talked to. I just like their fit and the staff they have around them. It’s just been really good. And I’ve been talking to them most recently.”
LMU: “It was good. [The visit] was a while ago. Coaching staff was really great. I know they have a new staff, but the staff is still really good there. The head coach. I just love the culture there, so that was something big as well.”
Santa Barbara: “They have major guard play. They want to play through their guards. That’s mainly been the main thing I’ve been looking for in schools. So, you know. Coach [Derek] Glasser has been the main coach in contact. So that’s been good, building a relationship with him and continuing to watch their school, see how they do everything. See what will be the best fit going into next year.”
When taking visits Hightower is looking for good culture between the players and coaching staff. But most importantly, he wants to go somewhere he’ll improve.
At Peach Jam, Hightower averaged 9.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game in 24.8 minutes per contest for Vegas Elite. His best game came against Drive Nation, where Hightower scored 12 points and dished out six dimes. The point guard scored in double-figures in four of Vegas Elite’s five games at Peach Jam.
“I’m a playmaker, floor general,” Hightower said of his game. “I love to get my teammates involved. I’m the last option but can go get mine, score when I need to.”
Hightower said his passing ability and creating his own shot is what separates him from other prospects. The guard is ranked the No. 144 overall player in the 2025 class by 247Sports.
Nobody in Hightower’s family had previously played basketball. Hightower is also an only child.
“I plan to be the first and have my kids do it,” Hightower said. “I’m the only [hooper], so I’m starting it off.”
The point guard’s favorite NBA player is Darius Garland. An interesting fact about Hightower is his nickname: “The Voice.”
Follow Sam Lance on Twitter
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter
Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram
And Like ZAGS on Facebook
