After recently moving to the state of Arizona, Arizona's 2018 class of prospects has improved a great deal with the addition of 6-foot-8, 225-pound senior forward Stephan Gabriel. A native of New Jersey, Gabriel moved to the state of Arizona this high school season to play for AZ Compass Prep and their national team, and to ultimately improve his college recruitment.
Gabriel came to the state possessing offers already from Wagner, Fairleigh Dickinson and Maine. He has already received serious interest from Arizona State, UNLV and Western Kentucky since moving to the state. Gabriel will be a spring signee, so it will be very interesting to see what offers he lands this high school season.
Gabriel is a unique prospect in the state, as very few prospects possess his combination of size, physical strength and athleticism. He plays well above the rim and is a force on both ends of the floor. He has excellent work ethic and competes at a high level - playing very hard at all times and looking to make a play consistently. His level of intensity and eagerness can get him in foul trouble at times, so he will need to channel his energy in the right manner to stay on the floor. He is a sure-fire talent for a mid-major plus to high-major division-I program.
Gabriel will look to help anchor a talented AZ Compass Prep team this high school season that will not play in the Canyon Athletic Association (CAA), but rather play a schedule that includes many top-rated prep programs, including national power Findlay Prep (NV) two times in Las Vegas.
A native of New Jersey's tough streets, Gabriel is a tough prospect that advised me that he is looking to develop as a player this high school season in preparation for a strong college career.
Gabriel will also look to become a full academic qualifier this high school season. He currently has a 2.8 CUM GPA and is scheduled to take the ACT on October 28th.
I will continue to follow the recruitment and develop of Gabriel closely this high school season, and bring you any updates regarding him as they develop.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Gabriel is a native of New Jersey and recently moved to the state for his senior season. He is a unique prospect in the state, as very few prospects possess his combination of size, physical strength and athleticism. He plays well above the rim and is a force on both ends of the floor. He has excellent work ethic and competes at a high level - playing very hard at all times and looking to make a play consistently. He is a 3/4 prospect currently that should be able to develop into a consistent wing prospect over time. He has a solid shooting stroke with range on his shot, but is at his best from mid-range currently. He has a good handle of the basketball and excellent explosion off the dribble. He is an excellent finisher, especially in the open floor where he attacks the rim hard. A good passer that looks to get teammates involved and pushes the ball up the floor in fast-break situations - leading the break. An active and strong rebounder that rebounds outside of his area. An excellent shotblocker with long arms and big hands. His level of intensity and eagerness can get him in foul trouble at times, so he will need to channel his energy in the right manner to stay on the floor. A sure-fire talent for a mid-major plus to high-major division-I program.
