My afternoon with Michael's father...

[cto]

The bad news was a three-hour flight delay leaving St Louis today. The good news was that I spent much of the delay chatting with Frank Gbinije (Michael's father).

Frank recognized me from the hour we spent together two years ago waiting in the will-call line at Duke. (He's clearly much better at recognizing faces than I am).

Anyhow, I got the inside story of Michael's recruitment from Duke (Michael trusted Adrian Autry, his AAU coach, and Jim Boeheim trusted Adrian's recommendation of Michael). He said Michael has never regretted his decision to transfer to SU. He also confirmed what we know: All the guys on the team really like each other, and there is never an issue about playing time, etc. He said all the guys are especially happy for Michael and Trevor, getting a "farewell tour" like this.

Michael's goal right now is to keep winning at SU, and he is not thinking about the NBA combine, said Frank. But he admitted the entire family is looking forward to his playing in the Olympics.

 

[djcon57]

Michael's turning into one of my all timers.

Just really love to see guys get better and better each year like he has. Shows that hard work pays off

 

[CorduroyG]

G is awesome, seems like a genuinely good guy. He can really cement his legacy if he plays well next wkend and we move on.

 

[two3zone]

G is awesome, loved when he decided to come here. I actually have an autographed #0 t-shirt that I've worn for every game the past two years. Very nice guy, love his game.

 

[Fjoinkay]

I am a really big fan of Michael G, and because of him I love pickle juice more than ever. Thanks MG! Go Cuse!!

 

[bballbeadle]

Posts like yours are one of the reasons I am delighted to be a forum member. Thank you!

 

[heresjohnny88]

Silent G has to be one of the most likeable Cuse players ever. Worked his tail off from the minute he got here, and it's awesome to see it all paying off this season.

 

[KellySyracuse]

Silent G!!!

 

[cliftonparksufan]

The bad news was a three-hour flight delay leaving St Louis today. The good news was that I spent much of the delay chatting with Frank Gbinije (Michael's father).

Frank recognized me from the hour we spent together two years ago waiting in line at will-call at Duke. (He's clearly much better at recognizing faces than I am).

Anyhow, I got the inside story of Michael's recruitment from Duke (Michael trusted Adrian Autry, his AAU coach, and Jim Boeheim trusted Adrian's recommendation of Michael). He said Michael has never regretted his decision to transfer to SU. He also confirmed what we know: All the guys on the team really like each other, and there is never an issue about playing time, etc. He said all the guys are especially happy for Michael and Trevor, getting a "farewell tour" like this.

Michael's goal right now is to keep winning at SU, and he is not thinking about the NBA combine, said Frank. But he admitted the entire family is looking forward to his playing in the Olympics.

I wonder if he is going to miss a chance to play in the NBA summer league by playing for Nigeria. I would guess if given that choice you have to pick the Olympics. I would guess an amazing opportunity. Are you going down to Rio?

 

[Headmaster 9]

That's awesome. We have had many chances to speak w G and his father during our travels as he has been at most away games that we have attended this year. G is one of our all time favorites and we can't wait to follow his Olympic experiences !

 

[CorduroyG]

Posts like yours are one of the reasons I am delighted to be a forum member. Thank you!

Youre welcome! Its just what i do, bringing joy to peoples lives.

Oh u were probably talking about cto's post, nevermind.

 

[shermstheman]

Posts like yours are one of the reasons I am delighted to be a forum member. Thank you!

I second this! It's a delight to read these first hand reports.

G has been terrific- I really like how he let's his personality show through- not acting stiff and trying too hard to say the right thing- he's good with just being himself.

 

[CusefanATL]

Michael's turning into one of my all timers.

Just really love to see guys get better and better each year like he has. Shows that hard work pays off

I honestly see it as a confidence booster more than hard work. and I say that as a compliment. I think the jump for G was a little too big too fast and he was apprehensive. But he had the game. Once JB told him to run the team midway through last year is when his game soared and it was instantaneous.

 

[44cuse]

For those of you that already had a high impression of G, here's another anecdote to file away in the "good guy" category. There are times when donors, business partners of SU Athletics, etc have access to the team (post game, flights to away games, etc). In one such event a year or two back, G spent almost an entire flight hanging out (playing video games maybe) with an 8 yr old kid who was enamored with him. Rather than brush him off, he literally made the kids year. Happy to see him with this season and the fact that he is a good guy also makes him one of my all-time favorites.

44cuse

 

[orangepassion]

Thanks for posting, Joyce! Who's helping you compose your autobiography?

 

[We Are Syracuse]

Worked out all summer with Silent G the summer as he was transferring to Syracuse. Got along well with him and you could tell then he had a lot of potential. So athletic and skilled while always maintaining the same demeanor and never get frustrated. He was BY FAR the best player in our workout group and we had a couple guys who were currently in the process of having formidable careers over seas. One area that he was the worst in was Free Throws. He's improved that substantially as he has the rest of his game. The player he has become is really the poster child for most of JBs players throughout his coaching career. Most guys get better on a yearly basis and that says a lot about the people involved in that process. Getting better at basketball is such a long process and lots of people don't realize that. So much goes into it!

I was troubled a couple weeks ago when Roberson and Cooney have not shown much improvement but they've stepped up huge these past two games. Me overreacting per usual. Congrats to Mike on his amazing year and let's keep it going boys.

PS:Mike G is an NBA player and you are just flat wrong if you think otherwise

 

[tee1222]

How did I miss this thread?
Bump!

 

[STEVEHOLT]

Those midget point guards that can cause him problems in college don't exist in the NBA