Gibb credits U of L for his development

By Lethbridge Herald on December 12, 2024.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward Shae Gibb dribbles the ball during a recent practice.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Local University of Lethbridge Pronghorn men’s basketball player Shae Gibb is finishing out is collegiate career this year in a program that has helped him  grow and learn.

“Honestly, playing as a Pronghorn has meant so much to me growing up as a Lethbridge kid,” said the fifth-year guard.

“So being able to play my five years as a Horn has meant so much to me and I’m so grateful for the experience.”

Gibb has worked with a couple of coaches in his tenure as a Horn.

“Every coach has kind of brought a different perspective to the team,” said Gibb.

 “I think being a Horn has given me different perspectives to get better, as well as given me an opportunity to prove myself and I’ve been through a lot of adversity. In my first year, I didn’t get a chance to play that much and then I kind of worked my way up throughout my second and third year and started starting. And so I feel like being a Horn has given me the opportunity to be the basketball player that I want to be.”

The biggest change in his five years has been his ability to improve his defence and that started after he did not get much playing time in his first year.

“I talked to the coaches and the main thing he said is that I had to defend,” said Gibb.

“So I focused really hard on my defence and getting stronger and bigger. And I would say looking back on it, the biggest improvement has been through my defence and playmaking.”

Standing at 5-10, Gibb is one of the smaller players on the court.

“I think for me I stopped realizing the height difference,” said Gibb.

“I feel like I’m just out there and playing the game that I’m meant to play and that I’ve been playing since (I was) a kid. I think that’s been the biggest thing for me is I don’t really notice it and being smaller probably helps. I’m probably quicker than a lot of the bigger guys, so that’s given me (an)  advantage.”

Gibb is appreciative of the relationships with his team and the U of L staff.

“That’s made my experience worthwhile,” said Gibb.

Gibb’s basketball future is unknown right now.

“Shae is a huge staple to our program in terms of his work ethic ,… just (with) the way that he brings his energy and his defensive prowess, his ability to create for others (and) his ability to score,” said Kenny Otieno, Horns head coach.

Otieno has noticed Gibb go through the ups and downs  of the team during his time in the program.

“I think he’s the epitome of where we’re at right now in terms of fighting through adversity and being able to come out and try and finish strong,” said Otieno.