Sports

Former HS Dropout Defies Odds As 26yo Freshman To Become One Of Basketball’s Most Intriguing Transfers

#College Basketball
by Last Updated
A basketball goes through the net.

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Freshman basketball player Jamal “Tall” Gibson put himself on the NAIA map during his rookie season at SUNO, posting incredible numbers in his first year on campus. The only thing more impressive than his performance on the court is his unbelievable story to get to this point.

Gibson’s freshman campaign at SUNO was his first experience playing organized ball. Prior, his resume consisted mainly of pick-up contests.

That’s actually how the forward was first discovered by head coach James Matthews, though it wasn’t enough to convince him that he’d soon become a star.

“Ain’t no way some kid playing in some adult league is gonna come in here and play organized basketball,” Matthews said in an interview with FOX 8 in New Orleans.

But that’s just what Gibson did!

He averaged 21 points and 15.8 rebounds a night on his way to multiple Newcome of the Week honors in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. He also earned National Player of the Week recognition in January after posting video game-like numbers against Oakwood and Fisk (25 ppg, 24.5 rpg).

Gibson scored double figures in his final 22 games, becoming an instant phenom in the NAIA. Not bad for a former high school dropout that had been making his living as a tattoo artist!

Now, it looks like he’s ready to take the next step!

Jamal Gibson is in the transfer portal.

After setting the NAIA on fire, Gibson’s ready to do the same at the next level of competition. He’s reportedly entered the transfer portal with three years of eligibility remaining.

He’s hoping that wherever that next move takes him, it will help him achieve his ultimate goal of playing in the NBA.

“I see myself in the league,” he told FOX 8. “If I keep doing what I’m doing, yeah definitely the league.”

And while his head coach was unsure of how Gibson would make the transition to SUNO, after just one season he’s been convinced that the freshman has a future as a pro.

“We talk about the league a lot, right?” Matthews asked. “That’s a goal of his and usually kids that come to this school or smaller schools, but that’s not really realistic, right? For this kid, it’s more than realistic. He’s a special talent, and this is his first time playing organized basketball… The ceiling is so much higher.”

With that statement, it seems Gibson has coach Matthews’ blessing in transferring to a more competitive level as he chases NBA dreams – and he’s apparently already getting some D1 interest!

Ole Miss headlines that handful of basketball programs, which also includes Howard, VMI, Youngstown State, and North Alabama, and the list should only continue to grow! We’ll see where the road eventually takes Gibson as he jumps ahead to the next phase of his college career.