STORM Gilchrist has a distinguished family legacy in basketball. Walking the pathway laid by his legendary father, the teenager is prepared to take the mantle and fly to a different stratosphere.
The son of Craig Gilchrist, one of the South African game’s greats, has seen doors open for him this year. Firstly, he’s completed another season in the Basketball National League (BNL) with the team his father played for and now coaches, KwaZulu-Natal Marlins.
Gilchrist also got a chance to learn from NBA elite players and coaches at the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) camp, which ended on Monday. Soon, he will bid farewell to South African shores to further his game in the United States of America.
The St Charles College pupil reflected on the journey that first saw him start as a rugby player, a sport his father and grandfather also played. Gilchrist explained to The Big Tip Off that while he had a “deep love” for rugby, it was basketball that would eventually steal his heart.
“Most people don’t know this. My father played for the under-19 Sharks (rugby) team, and my grandfather also played for a bit. So, it’s in the genes. I have a deep love for that sport (rugby), but I have a deeper love for basketball,” said the 18-year-old.
Once he committed to basketball in grade eight, Gilchrist’s father showed him the ropes. The road would, however, present some challenges. The Covid-19 pandemic and a knee injury stalled his progress.
“I had my first practice with my father as the head coach. That is when I thought, ‘this (basketball) is going to be lots of fun’. But Covid-19 ruined a good part of the season. Unfortunately, when we were allowed to play sports again, I blew out my knee in my grade 10 year playing rugby,” said Gilchrist. “I tore my MCL (medial collateral ligament) and PCL (posterior cruciate ligament), and I was out for another 14 months.”
Gilchrist credits the support structures around him for providing morale support during the recovery stages.
“It (recovery) was not fun. I was in a weak mental state, but thanks to my friends, I pushed through. My mom and dad played an important role, so I am thankful to them too,” said the Marlins centre.
Hooping with the Marlins
Now a matriculant, Gilchrist has grown with the Marlins and helped them make it to the semi-finals of the BNL. While the Marlins fell to eventual champions, the Cape Town Tigers, he enjoyed his match-up against Pieter Prinsloo (Tigers captain).
He also felt that because of his youth, many underestimated him throughout the BNL season.
“It is one of the most fun experiences I have ever had. Going into games, everyone thought, ‘he is just a kid, and we can push him around’, but I locked in and played hard defence. So, I caught them off guard,” said Gilchrist. “I have so much respect for Pieter. He wants to mentor me to become like him. He’s played (NCAA) Division 1. He is a true professional. So, it was a learning experience for me.”
Gilchrist discussed his father’s impact in his debut BNL season: “It’s a great privilege, especially having my father as my coach. He has so much knowledge, especially in the position I play. When something doesn’t go right for me, he helps me keep my cool. He taught me how to get to the rim and when to kick out. He shares a lot of knowledge with me.”
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Rubbing shoulders with the NBA stars
Gilchrist’s game IQ has probably shot up 10-fold after participating at the Basketball Without Borders camp in Johannesburg. Gleaning insights from superstar players like Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat) and respected coaches like Darvin Ham (LA Lakers) is an opportunity of a lifetime.
The youngster recalled that he had been on holiday when, close to midnight and in deep slumber, he was woken up by the life-changing call.
“We had just won the St John’s tournament and were on holiday to Scottburgh Beach. The St Stithians coach (Roland Andingdou) called me at 11 at night, and he goes, ‘I just put your name through to go to the BWB. You must be ready for the call’,” said Gilchrist. “I was excited, scared … And experienced every feeling known. I did not know what to expect.”
“Now that I’m here, I have made friends with players from countries like South Sudan and Nigeria. We have been teaching them some South African slang during the team building exercises.”
He also shared some of his reflections after learning from some of the best in the business.
“Looking at some aspects of my game, I feel, I did not shoot the ball well. So, that area needs work. I think I got better on defence, especially after working with Bam Adebayo. He is one of the best defenders in the NBA,” said Gilchrist. “I learnt how to close out without contesting the ball too much. He taught me a lot of defensive tricks.
“Coach Ham can read the game so well. He can draw up a play from his head because of what he sees on the court. Watching him draw up a play and trying to understand how he came up with it was a fun experience.”
Chasing the American basketball dream
After the BWB experience, Gilchrist will have little time to put his feet up and relax. In just a few days, he’ll head to San Antonio (United States), on an eight-month scholarship to further develop his game at the Strength N Motion Academy.
Gilchrist says the academy scouted him after he posted some highlight reels in the digital space.
“I posted a highlight reel on YouTube. So they scouted me from there. They told me they needed a big guy who could rebound and score. I am so excited because here in South Africa, you train three times a week,” said Gilchrist. “Over there, I’ll be training three times daily and playing against nearby colleges. I feel that by the time I come back, I’ll be a better player, and I could become a professional.”
Having honed his skills from some great minds of the game, starting with his father and exceptional NBA players and coaches, Gilchrist goes to the spiritual home of basketball with refined skill sets. He is far from the finished product, but his trajectory is promising. Storm Gilchrist is a name to look out for in the future.
