Prospect spotlight: Andrew Gagnon (2019)
For my high school, I am used as a scorer and provide leadership to the younger guys on the team. On my summer team, I am used to balance and space the floor as a knockdown shooter. I also facilitate the offense finding the open man for an easy shot.
One of the state’s top outside shooters, Andover 2019 guard Andrew Gagnon is coming off a big junior season and a terrific offseason as he gears up for his senior season.
A high basketball IQ player who makes quick decisions, Gagnon is an efficient shooter from the perimeter, but is capable of putting the ball on the basket and get to the basket. He is coming off a junior season in which he averaged a team-high 16.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. He brings both the ability to put the ball in the basketball, but leadership as well.
This past summer, Gagnon competed for Next Level Hoops Academy (NLHA) and had an opportunity to play against quality teams and players throughout the offseason.
“We have played teams with ESPN Top 100 players, and teams ranked nationally, and that level of competition really pushed me to play at the top of my game every time I step onto the court,” Gagnon said. “Playing against guys that have incredible speed and physical strength and size, taught me different ways to be effective on the court, and handle the ball with confidence.”
This offseason, Gagnon has worked on improving his defense and hopes the experience of defending elite guards throughout the offseason on the grassroots circuit has prepared him for the upcoming season.
Gagnon says he been lucky to have had great basketball coaches throughout his basketball career, including Pat Kellerman, Eric Jones, Johnny Murdock, Fridge Holman, Jason Perez and his high school coach Martin Shetlar.
A Kansas fan, Gagnon says one of his favorite players has been Frank Mason, a former Jayhawk standout. He also enjoys watching Damian Lillard, Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“(Mason) has that bulldog mentality and doesn’t let anyone get in his way no matter who they are,” Gagnon said. “He brings an energy to both sides of the court that as a player, you want to emulate because that killer mentality translates to winning games.”
Gagnon visited Holy Cross this past summer summer, and has talked with with a couple of NCAA Division II and NAIA schools in the area including defending NAIA national champions Graceland.