Louisville basketball: Gabe Wiznitzer checks all the boxes for Cards
Meet Louisville basketball’s Gabe Wiznitzer.
On June 23rd, Louisville basketball landed the third and final commitment of the 2020 class.
Gabe Wiznitzer is a 6’11,” 240-pound center out of Hargrave Military Academy who made the decision to reclassify from the 2021 class earlier this year.
“I chose Louisville and coach [Chris] Mack because he has an in-depth plan for me and my development,” Wiznitzer told 247 Sports. “I’ll be with their strength coach every day and practicing against some of the best bigs in the country every day too.”
“I just think going 2020 and redshirting will allow me to be the most ready I can be whenever I am able to play. Overall it’s just a great situation and I have a lot of trust in the coaching staff.”
The No. 132 prospect in America according to 247 Sports, and No. 117 and a four-star according to Rivals.
Wiznitzer had offers from Cincinnati, Xavier, Virginia Tech, LSU, Clemson, DePaul, Iowa, Ohio State, West Virginia, Georgia Tech, and Iona, among a long list of suiters.
https://twitter.com/GabeWiznitzer/status/1275458658336456704?s=20
Here’s what Rivals Recruiting Analyst Corey Evans had to say about Wiznitzer, who is rated as a four-star after his reclassification on Rivals.com.
"“A South Carolina native that will graduate this summer, Wiznitzer was expected to take a prep year in the fall at Hargrave Military Academy. However, the chance to get onto a college campus and work with a high-major coaching staff and learn the intricacies of Louisville’s system a year in advance without using a year of eligibility piqued his interests enough to push Wiznitzer the Cards’ way a year earlier than expected.” “In doing so, Louisville will bring to campus a near 7-footer that can score inside and out. A four-star center that has good hands and touch around the basket, Wiznitzer should work well within Mack’s pack-line defense. Valued even further for his offensive traits, Wiznitzer has to get quicker and more explosive but he is a capable shot maker to 22-feet and compares some to former Xavier standout Kenny Freese that Mack formerly coached at Xavier.”"
By all accounts, Wiznitzer is a high character player, and had to work hard to reclassify and make it to Louisville’s campus this summer.
“Gabe has been a blessing to have at Hargrave this year,” Hargrave coach Lee Martin told Evan Daniels, formerly of 247Sports. “His high character, intense work ethic, and ability on the court has provided him this amazing opportunity with Louisville. We’re all excited to see what’s in store for him in the future.”
How does Wiznitzer fit in the system, and why did Louisville decide to pull the trigger on a sit-out guy?
Let’s hear what Louisville head coach Chris Mack had to say.