Committed: 2021 UNLV Basketball: Keshon Gilbert Q&A About his Move to St Louis
UNLV men’s basketball loves its local talent. TJ Otzelberger has wisely gone after and landed many players already who call Las Vegas home. The first member of the Rebels’ 2021 class played at Durango High School, but Keshon Gilbert will be the first to proudly tell you that St Louis is his home town.
And that’s exactly where the talented combo guard will be playing his senior season. After averaging 15.3 points per game, 2.8 assists, and 4.3 rebounds for the Trail Blazers as one of the hottest prospects in the valley, Gilbert will be attending heralded Vashon High School.
I caught up with Gilbert and we spoke about his big move, among other things. Here’s what he had to say.
JW- What was the reasoning behind your move to St Louis for your senior season?
KG- I want to play a tougher schedule and also spend more time with my dad!I
JW- Why did you choose to attend Vashon High School in particular?
KG- My oldest brother went to Vashon and I was always the kid on the side rims shooting around while my big brother practiced. Coach Tone and I always had a relationship through that. The history of the program too. It’s a winning program (Vashon has won 16 state championships).
JW- What are your primary goals on the court for your senior season as you prepare to be a freshman at UNLV?
KG- I want to get more athletic and stronger. I want to stay solid with everything else.
JW- What’s your fondest memory of playing high school ball in Las Vegas?
KG- My fondest memory is when I scored 43 points in the Tark Classic.
JW- With Coronavirus shutting down gyms and preventing you from getting in run, how have you stayed in shape?
KG- I’ve been working out, staying in the weight room. I’ve been running mountains and doing sprints.
JW- Through the pandemic have you stayed in touch with coach Otzelberger and his staff?
KG- Yeah, I’ve still been in contact with them. They preach to stay safe and healthy.
JW- Not being ranked in the Top 150, do you feel underrated at all?
KG- Yes, I feel very underrated. I’m just going to continue doing what I’ve been doing. I’ll keep working and the doubters will wake up eventually. There’s nothing wrong with being the underdog because when you’re winning it feels ten times better.
JW- It’s no secret that the UNLV staff has prioritized Zaon Collins so that he can join you in the backcourt for the 2021 class. How do you feel that the two of you would complement one another?
KG- I think me and him will be good together because we both bring high energy on both sides of the court. We both do anything and everything it takes to win.
JW- Like me, you’re a big Stranger Things fan. What are you most looking forward to for season four?
KG- Knowing what happened to Hopper and just knowing what the big mystery will be that they have to solve.
As a 3-Star prospect ranked 166th overall in his class, Gilbert is eager to raise his profile and improve before he joins UNLV and comes back to Las Vegas. He’ll do that by playing a nationally ranked schedule for a high profile program. When Rebel fans get a glimpse of him next fall, it will be with a chip on his shoulder and an improved game in his bag.
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-Jeff Waddilove – Franchise Sports Media
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