Recruiting Update: Darius Gakwasi (2021 Central Catholic HS)
When it comes to the Class of 2021 in the state of Oregon, there is unquestionably a ton of talent. Among all the individuals, the most polished player both on the off the court may well be Darius Gakwasi. The…
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Continue ReadingWhen it comes to the Class of 2021 in the state of Oregon, there is unquestionably a ton of talent. Among all the individuals, the most polished player both on the off the court may well be Darius Gakwasi. The versatile 6-foot-5, 185-pound swingman put together a spectacular season for Central Catholic this past year and as he gets set to run with the Rose City Rebels 16U squad on the Nike EYBL circuit, colleges will be watching intently and monitoring his progress.
If you ever get a chance to talk with Gakwasi, you’re sure to get some thoughtful responses. We asked him first about how he felt about the Rams season and their run to the state tournament.
“This season we definitely didn’t get where we wanted to go – the goal is the state championship and I think that’s expected from everyone, not only just us – but something we did is we made a lot of strides,” Gakwasi said. “As a team that was bounced out of the first round last year, we came together at the beginning of the year and said we had to hold each other accountable and we had to play as a team because we knew we had the talent to be a top team in the state and we proved that. Coming next year we have a bigger goal in state but I think this year was a good get-together year.”
Although he was only a sophomore, Gakwasi certainly was seen as one of the leaders of the team, but he’s quick to point out any individual success was a result of the system. “Individually I had a pretty solid year,” Gakwasi said. “It was good that I had teammates that were able to step up and I could relax a little bit. Co-Player of the Year in Mt Hood was nice and it was a testament to the hard work during the off-season and my teammates putting me in the right positions. I was able to be put in the right spots and it was just up to me to make the shots.”
Gakwasi certainly isn’t just resting on his laurels. Since the season has ended, he’s been pushing ahead and has some goals already for next year. “I want to come back next year with a different body,” Gakwasi said. “To play basketball at the next level you have to bang with the big guys. So I think that this (off-season) I want to take a big leap in getting into the gym and eating right, the things that will transform my body and make me into a big guard.”
Speaking of the next level, Gakwasi is hopeful that the work he puts in will help his college recruitment continue to rise. Coaches watched him throughout the year and he holds a scholarship offer from the University of Portland. He’s keeping his options open but has started looking at some possible high-academic opportunities.
“I’ve been getting in contact with a lot of other schools, so far I’m in heavy contact with mostly Oregon State and Stanford,” Gakwasi said. “Those are two schools that I’m looking forward to hopefully seeing this off-season. There are other ones along the West Coast and some Ivy League ones. If you go to an Ivy League it’s not just about basketball. You get a degree from there and you’re set.”
Playing on the Nike EYBL circuit should give Gakwasi the opportunity to shine. The Rebels have already won two tournaments this spring and kick things off on grassroots basketball highest level for 16U in Atlanta this weekend. “I’m just looking to have a fun time with my guys,” Gakwasi said. “We were in steady contact throughout the high school year so we know that we have a bigger goal going to Peach (Jam) this year and proving that Portland and Oregon can really hang with the best in the country.”
Gakwasi currently ranks as the #4 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2021 rankings.