2016-17 Bishop Gorman Boys Basketball Capsule Preview
BISHOP GORMAN
Head coach: Grant Rice, 16th season
2015-16 record: 25-7 (8-0 Southwest, first)
Returning lettermen (starters): Ten (three)
Top players: F/G Chuck O’Bannon (Sr.), G Christian Popoola (Sr.), G/F Jamal Bey (Jr.), F/G Ryan Kiley (Sr.), F Saxton Howard, G Jarrett Jordan, G Luke Bradford
Outlook: The Gaels have won five straight large-school state titles, but for the first time since that streak started, Gorman finds itself without a true dominant post player.
The graduation of shot-blocker Zach Collins ended a run where the Gaels had some combination of Stephen Zimmerman, Chase Jeter and Collins in the middle.
That’s not to say Gorman will be down in any way.
O’Bannon (21 points, 6 rebounds per game), Popoola (13 ppg, 4 rpg, 6 assists per game) and Bey (10 ppg) all return to lead an offense that still should be potent.
“No true big man this year, but we have a lot of athletic players,” Rice said. “It should be a fun year as we try to run a little more and pick up all over the court on defense.”
