By Todd Bradley, DCSportsFan.com
Special to MaxPreps.com
Through Gonzaga High School's first 19 games this season, there has been one player who has defied the odds on a nightly basis.
Ian Hummer, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound junior, has played as the team's center despite giving away three to four inches to the opposing players he is called upon to defend. Hummer's steady play on both ends of the court have helped the Eagles win 18 of their first 19 games and grab hold of sole possession of first place in the ultra-competitive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC).
"As far as the big men are concerned in the WCAC, I would put him up against anybody," Gonzaga coach Steve Turner said. "There is not a more skilled or knowledgeable player in the league that plays in the post."
Hummer's junior campaign has included being named the most valuable player in both tournaments Gonzaga has participated in this season. He has scored in double figures 15 times, including a 22-point performance against a Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.), a team that featured Talib Zanna, 6-9 Nigerian transfer who has ACC and Big East schools flooding his mailbox.
"Talib has a couple inches on me," Hummer said. "I thought he was going to be slow and cumbersome, but he was athletic and a big body. My team did pretty well getting me the ball, and I ended up having a good night."
Hummer's performances this year also included 18 points against Frank Ben Eze of Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.). Ben Eze, a 6-10 Harvard commit, struggled with Hummer all night as Gonzaga pulled out a 70-62 victory against the No. 3 team in the D.C. area. Hummer credits his teammates and coaches with his success.
"I just fall into position," Hummer said. "We have so many good players that any player can just step up and make a big play. Recently that has been me."
Turner believes the sky is the limit for Hummer and many colleges have already taken notice. According to Turner, Hummer has received a number of mid-level offers that include CAA and Atlantic 10 schools. He's also peaked the interest of many Ivy League schools, which are expected to track his progress over the next year.
"I think he'll be a versatile forward on the next level," Turner said. "He's continuing to develop skills that allow him to play on the wing, but I think he would play the 4 position at the next level. He's not the kind of player that will just play with his back to the basket. If he can grow a couple more inches, he can be a high-major recruit, and he can play right away at the next level."
Hummer's father and uncle played basketball for Princeton University, and the Ivy League school has shown interest in the younger Hummer as well.
"Princeton is definitely one of the schools that's recruiting him," Turner said. "Early on he had a very strong basketball IQ. That was developed by working out with his dad and his uncle, who were both very good basketball players in their own right."
Hummer's uncle played briefly in the NBA and his father passed on the opportunity to continue his studies. For the time being, however, Hummer will continue to lead one of the top high school teams in the country toward its first league championship in over five years.
To view video clips of Hummer (uniform No. 52) please go here.
Todd Bradley is the Editor-in-Chief of www.dcsportsfan.com, which covers high school athletics in the Washington, D.C. area. E-mail Todd at editor@dcsportsfan.com.