Each week, we’ll offer a preview of what to expect from each member of the four-time National Champion UConn Huskies roster.
Sterling Gibbs
Senior PG
6-4, 205
Background:
Sterling Gibbs departed an unfortunate situation at Seton Hall, and for UConn fans, his enigmatic recruitment was possibly the biggest story of the offseason. With rumors going back to mid-April (and internally, we’d been hearing about this possibility since mid-March), coupled with multiple reports of a commitment, each followed by a Gibbs denial, the drama was intense. In the end, Ollie got his man, and in doing so filled a huge hole on his roster.
Last year:
Things were going swimmingly for Gibbs at Seton Hall last year in mid-January, when following a win at Creighton, the Pirates were sitting pretty at 13-3 and Gibbs was starting to generate some buzz as an All-American candidate. As the hapless Kevin Willard looked on (note: one 21-win season at Iona doesn’t make somebody a good coach), Seton Hall saw its season go down in flames amid locker room conflicts between veterans like Gibbs and Jaren Sina and freshmen Isaiah Whitehead and Khadeen Carrington. Rumors that Gibbs and Whitehead nearly came to blows in the locker room were not dispelled when the season had its ugliest public moment, when Gibbs clubbed Villanova guard Ryan Arcidiacono in the face on a loose ball.
Despite the disappointing and embarrassing finish to the season, Gibbs managed to land on the All-Big East Second Team after averaging 17.5 points and 42% from three in league play. He was among the most hotly-pursued players on an active transfer market after he graduated and announced that he would be pursuing his graduate degree elsewhere. After visiting UConn, Pitt, and Ohio State, Gibbs committed, and the rest is history.
What to expect:
Gibbs was “the man” at Seton Hall, running the offense and leading the team in scoring, field goal attempts, and assists. His role looks to be slightly different on a much more balanced UConn team, but expect him to still get plenty of opportunities. Gibbs figures to slide in to the starting point guard role vacated by stalwart Ryan Boatright, allowing Rodney Purvis to remain off the ball and Jalen Adams to work his way into the rotation.
Gibbs was an exceptional shooter at Seton Hall, creating and finishing from long range regularly. He also appears to have that clutch gene that UConn fans have grown used to seeing in their point guards. His scoring should drop a bit from last season, but he should still be among the Huskies’ leaders, and should get plenty of consideration for an All-AAC spot at year’s end.
Guess at stats:
| 30.5 MPG | 43.5 FG% | 41.6% 3P | 2.4 REB | 4.7 AST | 13.8 PTS |
Follow Sterling Gibbs on Twitter: @SterlingGibbs4
this kid is a STUD.
And the fact that this allows Jalen to gradually work his way into the feel of the college game is huge- although I think JA will make his presence felt from the first game on.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the depth of this team this year…
[…] talented roster. Boatright’s raw stats should be easily exceeded by the incoming foursome of Sterling Gibbs, Shonn Miller, Jalen Adams and Steve Enoch. But it remains to be seen who will take over […]