Gibbs Ready to Blaze Own Path

Note: This article was originally posted at the Big East Basketball Report.

Even though he is still a freshman in high school, Sterling Gibbs is quickly becoming a household name across the country – and it’s not because of his brother.

The 5-foot-10, 160 lbs. Seton Hall Prep product is the younger sibling of Pittsburgh signee Ashton Gibbs, but has been creating his own path recently.

He was named the Rookie of the Year at iS8 and was very impressive throughout the Rumble in the Bronx, where his New York Panthers fell in the championship game to the New York Gauchos.

On two separate occasions this weekend, Gibbs came alive late in the second half to help give the Panthers a victory. On Saturday, in their much-anticipated match-up against Renardo Sidney and the LA Dream Team, Gibbs knocked down three straight three-pointers in the second half and then converted a basket and foul to put the game out of reach. In the semifinals against the Miami Tropics on Sunday, Gibbs scored 14 points after the intermission to propel the Panthers to the title game.

Gibbs said he learned a lot by being on the court late in the game and helping his team get the win.

“It really helped my decision-making,” he said. “Just being in different scenarios helped. I was definitely more aggressive.”

On the other hand, while Gibbs is a very good three-point shooter, he pushes the ball when he shoots and also needs to put on some weight.

“I need to work on my strength and my pull-up jumper,” he said.

With three years of high school still left for Gibbs before he enters college, there is plenty of time for him to work on certain aspects of his game – this summer, he just wants to get better.

“I want to win some tournaments,” he said. “I also want to make the all-star game at some camps.”

Gibbs is already starting to get looks from colleges, as many expect him to be rated as one of the top point guards in the country for the Class of 2011. He said that Pittsburgh, Florida, Maryland, Seton Hall and Rutgers are some of the main schools interested in him.

“I’m looking for a good education, and somewhere that’s not far from home,” Gibbs said. “I also need a style of play that will fit me, and a place where I will fit in.”

What about a possible reunion with his brother at Pittsburgh? Gibbs wouldn’t rule it out.

“I don’t know, maybe,” Gibbs said. “It was good playing with him in high school.”