Gary Trent Jr., a 6-foot-3 rising sophomore from Apple Valley (MN) High, recently received an offer from Minnesota.
Gary Trent Jr., a 6-foot-3 rising sophomore from Apple Valley (MN) High, recently received an offer from Minnesota. Trent Jr. averaged 10.2 points per game as a first year starter for the 27-2 Eagles, who lost to Cretin-Derham Hall for the Section 3AAAA title game
Trent comes from a basketball family. His father, Gary Trent, was one of just three players in conference history with at least 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds and is the only three-time MAC Player of the Year in MAC history at Ohio University. Trent was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 11th overall selection of the 1995 NBA Draft and enjoyed an 11-year NBA career averaging more than eight points and four rebounds per game with Portland, Toronto, Dallas, and Minnesota.
Gopher Hole recently caught up with Trent Jr. to learn more about his offer.
Gopher Hole: You picked up an offer from Minnesota. What did they tell you?
Gary Trent Jr.: Nothing much really. I was just sitting there and Pitino came up to me. We were just having a little conversation and then he said “We love to offer you. We want you here at Minnesota”, so I said thank you. I really enjoyed it. It was nice.
Gopher Hole: Were you surprised at all?
Gary Trent Jr.: A little bit. I had a feeling they were going to because they had been in touch and I have been on the phone with coach Johnson and all the staff. I had a feeling they were going to, but I am happy they did. I’m excited.
Gopher Hole: That is your second offer, right?
Gary Trent Jr.: Yes, sir.
Gopher Hole: What other schools are you hearing from besides Texas Tech and Minnesota?
Gary Trent Jr.: Other schools that I am hearing from are Indiana, Purdue, Xavier, Ohio State. Basically, most of the Big Ten. I’m about to take three visits to Indiana, Xavier and Purdue in July, so I have a lot going on in July. (His Pulley team will also play in Chicago and Louisville)
Gopher Hole: You recently played out in St. Louis for the Top 100 camp. What was that experience like?
Gary Trent Jr.: It was fun. Just being down there with all the great players in today’s nation and being only a handful of freshman down there with mostly sophomores. It was truly a blessing. It was fun.
Gopher Hole: It looks like you have gotten bigger since last time I saw you.
Gary Trent Jr.: People keep saying that, but I’m not sure about that.
Gopher Hole: Is that something that you have worked on; trying to get stronger?
Gary Trent Jr.: Oh, yes. Always trying to get better in many ways. We also have a weight program at Apple Valley, so I go through that. That helps a lot.
Gopher Hole: What other things have you been working on to continue to improve yourself as a player?
Gary Trent Jr.: Just everything. Being there mentally. Just trying to get down on defense. Just staying in the gym. Grinding every single day.
Gopher Hole: How pleased are you with how well you have been playing this summer?
Gary Trent Jr.: It’s been good. We’ve been pulling everything together. We grew together as a new group, not having Tyus (Jones) in the equation and not having all the seniors, because we had a lot of seniors last year. We are all just clicking. We did good this weekend and went 6-0. It was pretty good.
Gopher Hole: You had a good season last year, but came up a little short after being upset in the playoffs. Is that a motivating factor and something that you have talked about in the offseason to get back to state?
Gary Trent Jr.: Oh, yeah. That is always in the back of our mind. We have this thing called “UB” and that is “Unfinished Business.” That is in the back of our minds and we are going to be looking for Cretin this year.
Gopher Hole: I know that you’re really new to the recruiting process. Do you like it? Can you see how it can get annoying or old?
Gary Trent Jr.: It is always fun to talk to the coaches in today’s world, so it is nice.
Gopher Hole: Do you notice the coaches watching you or do you try not to notice them?
Gary Trent Jr.: That just makes you play harder. Makes you play faster. Make you do everything better. Coaches are watching you, so that means you can never slack on anything. Just keep playing.
Gopher Hole: What would maybe mean to maybe have the opportunity to play for the home state school?
Gary Trent Jr.: It would be an honor to play for the home state school. I love Minnesota. It is nice here. It would be nice.
Gopher Hole: I know that when we talked before, you mentioned Ohio State and the relationship you have with Coach Boals, who played with your dad in college. What are you hearing from Ohio State?
Gary Trent Jr.: Nothing much. It is just the same old, same old. Just interest. That’s about it. Nothing much.