Gibbs and Wiggins Tandem Should be Lethal for UMass
Two years ago when Doug Wiggins was finishing up his senior year at East Hartford High School, many people considered him to be one of the most talented young players to ever come out of Connecticut. In a long and well publicized recruiting process, the local guard did a 180 by de-committing from St. John’s and quickly signing with the University of Connecticut. Now, Wiggins is set to leave UConn and head to the University of Massachusetts.
While the skeptics will use his decision to transfer as apparent proof that he was never good enough to play on that level in the first place, the facts tell a different story. In only his sophomore season, Wiggins had already established himself as Connecticut’s sixth man and certainly their best scorer/playmaker off the bench. He has had multiple 20 point games and could have potentially challenged for a starting spot with the Huskies next year if A.J. Price’s rehabilitation from his torn ACL takes longer than projected.
No, he isn’t leaving UConn because he wasn’t good enough…he was plenty good enough. In fact, the talented point guard was being pursued by a wide variety of high major programs after receiving his release from UConn in April. Boston College, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Clemson, and a wide variety of Atlantic 10 schools highlight those that expressed interest.
Ultimately, Wiggins decided to head up route 91 to the University of Massachusetts, where he will be arriving at campus with another East Hartford, Connecticut resident, David Gibbs.
Gibbs originally committed to UMass as a junior when Travis Ford led the program. When Ford made the move to Oklahoma State this spring, many believed Gibbs might follow. A wide variety of other high major programs began circling as Gibbs would have become one of the country’s best available guards had he decided to open his recruitment back up.
But new UMass Head Coach Derek Kellog had other ideas. Two of his first priorities upon arriving in Amherst were retaining the services of Gibbs, and securing a commitment from Wiggins. Ultimately, he was able to do both…but not without a little help.
When Kellog retained Adam Ginsburg from Ford’s staff, it paid immediate dividends. Because it was Ginsburg who had originally recruited Gibbs, it didn’t take long for the talented guard to reaffirm his commitment. Very shortly afterwards, Ginsburg was again the point man as UMass received Wiggins’ commitment.
Now the Minutemen have solidified what could potentially be the Atlantic 10’s best backcourt in a couple of years. Both players are explosive playmakers who should thrive in the dribble motion offense that Kellog plans to employ.
Wiggins is a player who is best with the ball in his hands. Although he developed a reputation as a very good three-point shooter while at UConn, he was known for his prowess off the dribble in high school where he was almost unstoppable creating for himself and others.
Combine that with Gibbs’ explosive first step, ability to finish above the rim, or knock down shots from the perimeter and you have a duo that appears tailor made for the drive and kick style that the Minutemen will utilize next year.
Gibbs and Wiggins will also have an opportunity to learn on the job before being asked to take the reigns. Wiggins, who will be forced to sit out next season due to transfer rules, will be going head-to-head on a daily basis with one of the league’s best returning point guards in senior Chris Lowe. Meanwhile, Gibbs should be able to make an immediate contributor although he won’t be asked to shoulder more than he can handle right away as Ricky Harris and Wake Forest transfer Anthony Gurley are likely to start in the other perimeter spots.
Ultimately, with a new coach, a perimeter oriented style of play, one of the best returning backcourts in the conference, as well as two more big time guards set to join the program...the future looks very bright in Amherst.
David Gibbs