UPDATED: Alterique Gilbert in McDonald's Game and National Prep Tournament
UConn-bound point guard Alterique Gilbert scored seven points to help the West beat the East 114-107 in the 39th annual McDonald’s All-American game Wednesday night in Chicago.
Gilbert, who is ranked 36th in the Class of 2016, shot 3-for-7 from the field and added five rebounds with four assists. Highlights for the 6-foot senior from Miller Grove (Georgia) High included a double-pump reverse dunk in the second half and a feed to Marques Bolden for an alley-oop.
Frank Jackson (Duke) and Josh Jackson (undecided) were named co-MVPs after scoring 19 points each for the West.
Gilbert drew praise from ESPN commentator Jalen Rose for his explosive lateral movement and was also referred to as being built like a running back. Husky fans will have a chance to see him again as his high school team takes on Findlay Prep Thursday evening (6 p.m., ESPNU) in the Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals- a tournament featuring many well known high school programs including Monteverde (FL), Oak Hill Academy (VA), and St. Benedict's Prep (NJ).
Gilbert is one of four players coming in next season for the Huskies, who also added Putnam Science Academy’s Mamadou Diarra (142nd) along with fellow Rivals’ Top 150 players in forward Vance Jackson (72nd), and center Juwan Durham (31st).
The Huskies have at least two more open roster spots for next season and could have two more after sophomore Daniel Hamilton and junior Amida Brimah declared for the NBA draft. Hamilton and Brimah, who have both reportedly not hired agents, have until May 25th to return to the program.
UPDATE (3/31):
Gilbert scored 20 points to help Miller Grove beat Findlay Prep Thursday night in the Dick’s National Sporting Goods Nationals quarterfinal at Christ the King High School in New York. Miller Grove advances to play Oak Hill Academy in the semifinals on Friday.
The win comes a night after Gilbert had seven points to help the West beat the East 114-107 in the 39th annual McDonald’s All-American game Wednesday night in Chicago.
Gilbert, ranked 36th in the Class of 2016, shot 3-for-7 from the field and added five rebounds with four assists Wednesday in Chicago. Less than 24 hours later, he was in New York to help lead his high school team to victory over a very good Findlay Prep team which includes 2016 UNLV commit Carlos Johnson and a number of 2017 prospects such as Baylor commit Tristan Clark.
NOTE: UConn assistant coach Karl Hobbs will reportedly join former UConn player Steve Pikiell’s staff at Rutgers as the associate head coach. The move was first reported by HoopDreamsMag.com