Prospect Profile: Darius Gakwasi (2021 Central Catholic HS/Rose City Rebels 15U)
Many of the state’s top players from the Class of 2021 played on the same team this past AAU season – the Rose City Rebels. Darius Gakwasi certainly enjoyed his time with the squad. The versatile 6-foot-5, 185-pound swingman from Central Catholic High School got a chance to do a lot of different things with the Rebels this past spring and summer and he’s already got an eye on a college future.
The Rebels had a successful summer campaign. The team captured the 15U championship of the Premier Summer Championships and had a good run in the Bigfoot Las Vegas Classic as well. “I think the best thing about our team was we have great chemistry and we like each other both on and off the court,” Gakwasi said. “I felt I played solid and my teammates have contributed to that. In AAU it’s sometimes hard to get into a flow, but I feel that we got into a flow and I’ve facilitated by getting my points too.”
Watch Gakwasi play and you can see a versatile player with a lot of potential. Often times for the Rebels he would take care of taking the ball up court and setting up the offense. He is able to get to the basket with ease and use his athleticism to finish plays at the hoop. Gakwasi does need to hone his outside shooting, shore up his ball-handling to decrease turnovers, and improve his overall shot selection and decision making but much of that will come with time and hard work.
“I just want to keep on getting better,” Gakwasi said. “My thing has been getting a consistent jump shot. I want to play at the next level and a big part of playing at the next level is having your body there, so I’ve been working on getting stronger and quicker and more athletic so I’ll have an advantage.”
With all that said, Gakwasi has his eyes on college – and he’s aiming high. “There are definitely a lot of schools I like,” Gakwasi said, listing off Arizona, Duke, Florida, and Oregon as some of his favorites. “I want some place that will challenge me. There are a few schools that have tapped in but as time comes there will be more hopefully.”
Gakwasi ranks as one of the top players in the Class of 2021 rankings, which will be released soon at PrepHoops Oregon.