Local big left Upstate to play, but he still has Clemson in mind
Walhalla forward Gabe Wiznitzer has grown into a major prospect during his time away from home. He first attended Christ School in Arden, North Carolina before arriving at Hargrave Prep, Virginia last year, where the 6-foot-11 big averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds per game. He’s rated a four-star in the 247Sports composite and ranked as the 25th-best power forward prospect in the country.
As he prepares to head back to Hargrave for his senior season, Wiznitzer now has a long list of major college offers to consider. One of those comes from the school right down the road from his home, Clemson.
“I’ve been talking to Coach (Dick) Bender about twice a week,” Wiznitzer said. “I still talk to him a good bit. I haven’t talked to anybody else on the coaching staff. I visited them back in January. I watched them play Miami and and NC State. Coach Bender has talked about me coming up and taking an official. They just like my skill set, my size in playing the post and also pick and pop.”
Providence, Iowa and Iona are three three other schools pressing hard for Wiznitzer at this point. Some of his other offers are LSU, Nebraska, Penn State, TCU, St. John’s, Xavier, DePaul, USF, George Washington, Old Dominion and East Carolina. Having all those offers to choose from has not made it easy for Wiznitzer to do the easy thing, and that would be to stay home and go to Clemson.
“It would definitely be cool if I turn up there, but a school’s playing style, how they develop their players and the history of their winning is more important to me,” Wiznitzer said. “When I got that offer, it was like a real special offer just because I grew up watching them and they are 10 minutes away from where I live.”
Wiznitzer also has visited Virginia Tech and George Washington. He said he will visit Providence once recruiting travel is allowed again. He hopes to make his decision before his senior season.
Notes:
▪ Clemson baseball commitment Lonnie White of Malvern, Pennsylvania was offered by Penn State for football.
▪ Lakewood wing Quentin Hodge committed to USC Upstate.