Prospect Spotlight: Braden Gibbons (2020)
Madrid has been one of the best surprises in Iowa so far this season, and it’s been 5-foot-8 point guard Braden Gibbons spurring the Tigers on.
Driving, kicking and dishing out for assists is his specialty, and he’s propelled Madrid to a blistering 6-0 start. Gibbons’ 59 assists are most in Iowa right now, and he’s scoring it at a high clip, too.
For him, though, it’s not the big numbers he’s putting up that’s noteworthy, but the fact that Madrid basketball is being out on the map.
“Last year, people didn’t really think about us much, not many people expected us to do much. But we seemed to stun a lot of teams, but then were disappointed in how last year ended up,” said Gibbons.
“We really used that, and put in work in the gym this summer. And we know what we’re capable of and what we can be. But then again, we know how much farther we need to go to be one of those teams that has a chance to go to state.”
Gibbons’ breakout junior season could warrant some college hoops interest. And although he probably will forego playing club ball next spring, he’s motivated to get better and improve on his own.
“I’m not sure if I’ll play AAU basketball, but I put in a lot of wok in the gym on my own time. My coach gives me a lot of stuff in the the offseason to work on,” said Gibbons.
Also a baseball standout, Gibbons batted .411 as a sophomore last summer for the Tigers on the diamond. He loves both baseball and basketball, seemingly equally.
“I don’t really know if I have a favorite. I put in time and work on each one. There’s not really one I specifically love best, I love both of them,” said Gibbons.
There’s been little college interest coming in for either sports so far. But at the pace he’s going, that could change soon.
He’s been trying to get his name out there for baseball and basketball.
“I keep looking for camps to attend and trying to get my name out there and hopefully get some coaches to notice me,” said Gibbons. “My goal for this season into next season is to get my name out there and hopefully get some coaches to have some interest in me.”