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Home > Blogs > Flyer Connection: University of Dayton sports > Archives > 2010 > August > 01 > Entry
Relationships with coaches swayed Gibson
Percy Gibson came back from an AAU tournament in Los Angeles and discussed the pros and cons about Dayton with his mother this weekend before making a decision.
“There wasn’t really any cons as I thought about it. It was time to do it,” he said.
The 6-foot-8, 240-pound senior-to-be at Detroit Southeastern High School gave the Flyers a verbal commitment today, becoming the first member of UD’s 2011 recruiting class.
The biggest draw for Gibson was the bonds he built with the Flyer coaching staff. Assistant Cornell Mann has deep roots in Michigan, and Gibson connected with head coach Brian Gregory, too.
“Corn is just a cool guy. He’s from my way. We’ve always had a good relationship. We talked to each other a lot,” Gibson said. “And coach Gregory is just a player’s coach. He’s easy to get along with.”
Southeastern High School coach George Ward certainly was impressed with the recruiting job done by the UD staff.
“Corn was very instrumental in the recruiting of Percy. Not only that, BG is just a personable guy. He makes everyone feel welcome, he makes everyone feel at home,” Ward said. “The city of Dayton is one hell of a community. It’s something a lot of kids would want to be a part of.
“I’m excited just to know I’ll spend three or four years in the city of Dayton, and I’m looking forward to it myself - not just from a personal standpoint, but being able to see my kid fulfill one of his goals and dreams. It’s fulfilling.”
Gibson was believed to be the Flyers’ top target in the 2011 class. They have just two scholarships to give and needed a big man after not landing one with five scholarships in the ’10 class.
Gibson said the attention shown by the UD coaches “was also a big factor in choosing Dayton. It seemed like they really wanted me.”
He had scholarship offers from Southern Cal, Providence and Minnesota, according to Ward. Temple also had shown much interest.
“The Dayton Flyer program is really, really on the rise,” Ward said. “You won an NIT championship, which is great. You’ve got a possible first-round lottery pick (Chris Wright) coming back next year. And you’ve got one of the top 5 to 10 coaches in the country, without question. And it’s only three hours away from home. It turned out to be a great deal.
“I couldn’t be happier for Percy. I know it’s going to be something good for him and his family.”
Though skilled, the knock on Gibson is that he doesn’t always go hard. But Ward said that rap doesn’t appy anymore.
“The funny thing about that is his improvement over the last 10 calendar months has just been outstanding,” Ward said. “He’s taken it to another level. His habits have gotten better as far as working during the course of the game. … We’re looking forward to his senior year, I know that.”
Gibson averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds last season.
“Really, I’m trying to become as dominant as possible,” Gibson said. “I’ve extended my game more toward the perimeter and can knock down 3’s more than last year, but I’m still trying to perfect that. And I’m running the floor more.
“I just want to win. I’m doing whatever it takes to win.”
Permalink | Comments (16) | Post your comment |
Comments
By Tom
August 1, 2010 10:04 PM | Link to this
Welcome aboard, Percy! The Flyer Faithful are looking forward to having another skilled big man to cheer for. Go win a state championship and come to Dayton hungry for more.
By rich
August 2, 2010 12:06 PM | Link to this
Good choice Percy!! You have chosen one of the best towns to play college bball in.Kudos to BG and Corny for going out and getting what this team needs. Go Flyers!
By OSU Joe
August 2, 2010 12:42 PM | Link to this
Folks, everyone here knows that you’d have to be absolute fool to play at ud if you had the chance to play at a school like USC or Providence. In the a-10, you play at half empty high school gyms. If ud signed a deal to play a home and home with Providence, the flier fans would be jumping for joy. Sorry, but there is NO WAY that any recruit would pick ud over Providence. If Providence wanted the kid, he’d die to play at a big school like that.
By 88 Grad
August 2, 2010 3:17 PM | Link to this
I am breaking my rule by even responding to OSU Joe but to put all the facts out there and ensure no one is in any way influenced by his cricket like chirping— Gibsion had confirmed offers from the schools listed. In the case of Providence, the offer was and is listed on the Rivals recruiting site. G
By No JO(k)e
August 2, 2010 3:37 PM | Link to this
Joe is right - just like any football player who wants to win a championship would go to a Pac 10 or SEC school over OSU; since they know the buckeyes collapse when they have to play outside the big 10
By OSU Joe is an idiot
August 2, 2010 4:45 PM | Link to this
I am an OSU alumni and fan, but follow UD and WSU. Responding to OSU Joe is only taking the bait and should not be done. Good luck to UD in winning its conference and making the NCAA.
By OSU Joe
August 2, 2010 6:11 PM | Link to this
I am just stating facts. If you don’t like facts, then keep getting drunk on the DDN Kool-Aide and live in your imaginary world.
By Johnny Weissmueller
August 2, 2010 7:14 PM | Link to this
Responding to “OSU Joe is an Idiot”….The only idiot is you my friend by stating that you are an Ohio State “alumni”. Well how many of you are there? “Alumni” is a group of grads, plural for alumnus, which is the masculine or alumnae which is female. I wouldn’t cast too many stones in that glass house pal.
By Frank
August 3, 2010 7:58 AM | Link to this
I have a hard time believing that a kid would pick UD over Providence. Perhaps Providence showed interest and then backed off. Same goes for any other BCS school. Then again, maybe the kid would rather play at the mid-major level. Who knows?
By null
August 3, 2010 10:09 AM | Link to this
Maybe BG is just that good a recruiter did anyone ever think of that? He did, after all, have his hand in the recruiting jar at MSU. He recruited NBA calliber players there.
By UD Alumnus
August 3, 2010 10:34 AM | Link to this
Johnny Weissmueller - careful, alumnus does not have to mean graduate either, it can mean a former student. this isn’t the common understanding, but is a definition. Next, Providence is actually a smaller school than UD (933 in this freshman class versus 2000) - and if you have ever been to Providence or USC, Dayton actually is in a better area, better campus. If you look at the 2 schools Basketball programs, being the lowest in a BCS conference doesn’t get you anywhere either. The true comparison would be like saying is it better to play football for a Boise state or Indiana? While Dayton is not a Boise State, they are heading in the right direction.
By Johnny Weissmueller
August 3, 2010 10:52 AM | Link to this
UD Alumnus….You are correct. But conventional thinking is a graduate, hence my previous post. But technically you are correct.
By Swamp
August 3, 2010 1:55 PM | Link to this
National championship this year and next baby!
By Vince
August 4, 2010 12:43 PM | Link to this
UD is in a good area? I was laughing so hard, I spit out my coffee after reading that. I like UD, but there is a reason why NCR bolted as quick as they could from the UD area. That place is a dump.
By UDFAN
August 4, 2010 1:44 PM | Link to this
Hey guy’s,, ever heard of Butler. Nothing complicated with a winning formula. Get players, let them play, have fun, and anything can happen. One last comment. BG,,, please let them play more than 3-4 mins. at a time ! Go Flyers!
By Johnny Weissmueller
August 4, 2010 2:43 PM | Link to this
I took a look at Gibson’s profile on Rivals.com and it shows a three star player with quite a few offers. However Providence College is not one of them. The schools in power conferences listed as offering scholarships are USC and Minnesota. Both Michigan and Michigan State are listed as interested but neither offered scholarships. Most offers were from mid majors. That speaks volumes.