Gary Trent Jr., a 6-foot-5, 180-pound junior guard from Apple Valley (MN) High, helped lead the Eagles to their second state title in three years as they defeated previously unbeaten Champlin Park 64-61 in the state title game as he finished with 15 points, nine rebounds and four steals.
Trent Jr. paced the Eagles to a 30-2 mark as he averaged 21.2 points per game, scoring in double figures in all but one game. He was named first team All-Metro by College Basketball News and second team by the Star Tribune
Trent Jr. finished as the leading scorer in the Nike EYBL circuit as a member of the Howard Pulley AAU program. Trent Jr. averaged 22.1 points per game in the EYBL, while shooting 45.6% from the field, 39.6% from three-point range and 79.5% from the line.
Gopher Hole recently caught up with Trent Jr. to learn the latest on his college recruitment, a recent trip to Colorado and the upcoming season. Gopher Hole recently attended his open gym as UCLA assistant David Grace and Michigan State assistant Mike Garland were also in attendance.
Gopher Hole: You spent some time recently in Colorado Springs with Team USA again. What was that experience like?
Gary Trent Jr.: It was great. Every time I go to USA in Colorado Springs, I enjoy my time there and have some good vibes, so I got to see some of my coaches from the summer, some players that I bonded with over the summer as well.
Gopher Hole: What does it mean to you to represent your country?
Gary Trent Jr.: Everything in the world. Some people represent our country in the military and I represent it in the game of basketball. I am really fortunate and I am blessed to have the opportunity to do that.
Gopher Hole: What was the experience like going to a different country, play for your country and doing very well in winning a gold medal?
Gary Trent Jr.: It was crazy. Just the different type of culture. The type of people. Language. Food. Everything. It was fun. I enjoyed myself and I am glad that I had the opportunity to go.
Gopher Hole: You were busy with basketball, but did you get a chance to see much of the country and do some other things?
Gary Trent Jr.: The first night that I was there, I got the opportunity to go to the mall, walk around and see the landscape and things like that. It was cool, so I enjoyed myself.
Gopher Hole: Is that something that you want to continue, playing with Team USA?
Gary Trent Jr.: Always. If I have the opportunity to for USA Basketball, I’ll be there over everything.
Gopher Hole: What is the latest on your recruitment? I know that you picked up some newer offers recently.
Gary Trent Jr.: Yes. It is basically the same old, same old. Just Duke, Kentucky, Ohio State. Just the same ones. No new offers
Gopher Hole: I know that you were at the Gopher football season opener against TCU. What was that experience like?
Gary Trent Jr.: It was great. Each time, I go to campus, I love the “U.” I am having a great vibe there. It was fun. I loved it.
Gopher Hole: You were there with Amir Coffey and Eric Curry, who both committed to Minnesota. Have you talked to them since then and had discussion with them?
Gary Trent Jr.: Just some calls. Just congratulations, but I haven’t had any in-depth conversations.
Gopher Hole: I know that it is so early being only a junior, but have you even thought about when you would try to decide on a school?
Gary Trent Jr.: I’ll probably start a time table, most likely I’ll have, next year around the same time.
Gopher Hole: Have you thought about what are going to be the main factors that are going to make you pick School A over School B or C?
Gary Trent Jr.: Coaching style. What I end up taking? The relationships that I build over the next year with the coaches and whatever that is, that’s where I’ll be.
Gopher Hole: I know that your dad has got a new job and he is going to be working with the Timberwolves. Have you talked to him much about that? One day you want to be in the pros, is that something you talk to him a little bit about?
Gary Trent Jr.: A little bit, but not really. He is on the staff, so that is cool and I am happy for him.
Gopher Hole: Do you watch college games more or do you watch pro games more to pick things up?
Gary Trent Jr.: I’d say half and half.
Gopher Hole: What things do you watch for when you watch a game?
Gary Trent Jr.: The players, obviously. See the moves that they do and I try to emulate them. If I see Kobe do something in the low post or if I see James Harden do something on the wing, I just try to put that in my game.
Gopher Hole: Who is your favorite college player?
Gary Trent Jr.: There are so many, I don’t have a favorite one.
Gopher Hole: How about pro?
Gary Trent Jr.: I don’t have a favorite. I like a lot of players.
Gopher Hole: What was the latest on your recent injury?
Gary Trent Jr.: I stressed my plantar in the bottom of my foot and I just needed the rest. Overuse injury. Nothing serious. I just needed to calm down for a little bit and let that get healed for the long season.
Gopher Hole: What coaches have you seen at the open gyms?
Gary Trent Jr.: Coach K came. Coach Cal plans on coming. Thad Matta came. Tom Izzo. All the guys.
Gopher Hole: That has to be flattering to have those type of high-caliber coaches coming in for your open gyms?
Gary Trent Jr.: Most definitely. Whenever you have a Hall of Fame coach or a coach that is arguably one of the greatest coaches ever saying that they want you to come to the program, it can’t do anything but humble you and make you work hard.