Grand Canyon basketball players, coach after win over Coastal Carolina
Players Caleb Shaw and Makaih Williams and head coach Bryce Drew on GCU’s win over Coastal Carolina
The patience, the hard work, and the belief are paying off for former Basha High star Gabe McGlothan.
The 6-foot-7 forward has signed a 10-day contract with the Indiana Pacers.
McGlothan’s dream journey included spending six years in college, the last five at Grand Canyon.
McGlothan, 26, could make his NBA debut on Thursday night, Dec. 18, when the Pacers take on the New York Knicks.
During interviews this week with Pacers reporters, McGlothan thanked his high school coach, Mike Grothaus, for helping him with his love for basketball in his formative years.
“It’s hard for me to put into words how proud I am,” Grothaus told The Republic in a text. “He is such an amazing young man and for me to have been able to be a part of his journey is such a blessing. To watch young people work and achieve their dreams and goals gives me so much joy.
“I’m going to be the biggest Indiana Pacers fan for the next 10 days, and hopefully a little longer after that.”
McGlothan’s chance in the NBA came due to injuries on the Pacers and playing well for the G League Noblesville Boom, where he averaged 16.9 points and 7.9 rebounds.
He was on an Exhibit 10 contract in the Pacers’ training camp and preseason, averaging 4.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in three preseason games, before going to Noblesville for the regular season
McGlothan, who wore number 30 at GCU, will wear No. 41 with Indiana, telling reporters that it’s a Biblical inspiration based on the Gospels and Jesus fasting 40 days and 40 nights. With 41, it’s about how one comes out on the other side.
McGlothan, who led Basha to a 30-1 record and its only state basketball championship as a senior in 2017, had an odyssey of stops before settling at GCU, where he was a part of the Lopes’ first three NCAA Tournament runs under coach Bryce Drew, including keying the school’s first-ever March Madness win, over Saint Mary’s College.
He ended his GCU career ranked among the top eight for rebounds (856), points (1,329), minutes (3,380) and 3-pointers (127). He had 1,562 career points overall in college, the 1,329 coming at GCU in four years on the court. He spent one year as a medical redshirt after undergoing knee surgery.
“We are so excited for Gabe,” GCU coach Bryce Drew said in a text. “What a great ambassador for GCU to put on an NBA jersey. He works extremely hard, is all about the team and plays to win. Lope Nation is cheering for him.”
Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don’t miss a thing. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert