MaxPreps 2013-14 Preseason Xcellent 25 Basketball preview: No. 6 Bishop Gorman

Replacing a one-and-done NBA talent like Shabazz Muhammad isn't supposed to look this easy.

Clearly, rebuilding isn't part of the plan at Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas).

A year after losing Muhammad and a celebrated senior class, the Gaels actually improved their win-loss record by a game en route to the program's 15th all-time state title.



"I was probably more proud of my team last year than I have been in my 13 seasons here," Bishop Gorman head coach Grant Rice said. "It was a total group effort."

With most of the key contributors from last year's state championship team back in the fold, Gorman will once again be a team with a target on its back nationally.

"I think they will handle it okay," Rice said. "We've been through this before with all the preseason stuff and high expectations. I think we will be ready to go by the time December hits."

Leading the way are junior twin towers Stephen Zimmerman — a 7-footer and first team All-State pick as a sophomore — and 6-10 Chase Jeter. Both are Top 20 prospects according to 247Sports.

"They have played a lot together," Rice said of his potentially dominating duo. "They have played some AAU together and have just been in the gym working together and getting better a lot. They are good friends and hang out together off the court."

Senior guard Noah Robotham, a lethal shooter and capable ball-handler, should bring a steady veteran presence to the backcourt.



"It seems like he has been with our program for eight years," Rice said of Robotham's longevity on the Gaels varsity squad. "He has been an underappreciated guy at times but he does things the right way and will bring a lot of leadership to the team."

The schedule will be as challenging as any program in the country will face. Depending on the way tournaments sandwiched around Christmas shake out, the Gaels could face at least a half-dozen teams ranked in the preseason Xcellent 25.

"Obviously we would like to win every game but our goal has never been to go undefeated," Rice said. "We aren't going to shy away from taking on top programs. The main thing for us is to be playing in the final game of the season and doing well in Nevada."

View gallery of Bishop Gorman preseason photo shoot

Bishop Gorman last five years:
2012-13 (Grant Rice) – 29-3, Division I state champions, No. 11 final Xcellent 25 national ranking
2011-12 (Grant Rice) – 28-4, Class 4A state champions, No. 7 final Xcellent 25 national ranking
2010-11 (Grant Rice) – 25-6
2009-10 (Grant Rice) – 30-2, Class 4A state champions, No. 16 final Xcellent 25 national ranking
2008-09 (Grant Rice) – 28-5, Class 4A state champions {PAGEBREAK} Classification/Division:
NIAA Division I

Enrollment:
1,200

Head coach:
Grant Rice (13th year as head coach)



Career record:
313-62, state championships in 2002, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013

Former Gaels in college/pro basketball:

Rosco Allen (Stanford sophomore wing)

Ben Carter (Oregon sophomore forward)

Gio Guzman (Northwest Christian sophomore guard)

Johnathan Loyd (Oregon senior guard)



Demetris Morant (UNLV redshirt freshman forward)

Rashad Muhammad (San Jose State freshman guard)

Shabazz Muhammad (Minnesota Timberwolves guard)

C.J. Watson (Indiana Pacers guard)

Anson Winder (BYU junior guard)

Other notable alumni:



Charisma Carpenter (actress, Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

Lorenzo Fertitta (UFC owner)

Jalen Grimble (Oregon State junior defensive lineman)

Xavier Grimble (USC junior tight end)

DeMarco Murray (Dallas Cowboys running back)

Ronnie Stanley (Notre Dame sophomore offensive lineman)



Dana White (UFC President){PAGEBREAK} Key returners:

Nick Blair (6-5, Jr., G/F)

Chase Jeter (6-10, Jr., F/C)

Miles Loupe (5-8, Sr., G)

Obim Okeke (6-1, Sr., G)

Noah Robotham (5-10, Sr., G)



Stephen Zimmerman (7-0, Jr., C)

Newcomers:

Zach Collins (6-8, So., F)

Tanner Leishman (6-6, Jr., F)

Richie Thornton (6-1, Jr., G)

Deon Whiteside (6-5, Jr., F)



Circle the date:

Rice and the staff at nearby Findlay Prep (Henderson) have maintained a friendly relationship since the latter came on the scene a half-dozen years ago. But make no mistake, the Gaels would love to knock off Findlay after losses to the Pilots each of the past four seasons. That game will be played Jan. 25 at the Big City Showcase.

Another intriguing matchup comes Dec. 14 at the new Hoophall West event in Phoenix, where the Gaels will take on Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.).

Gorman will also participate in the Cancer Research Classic in West Virginia and Nike Extravaganza in Southern California.

Tournament time:

The Gaels have made a tradition out of playing in a major tournament before and after Christmas each season. Like last year, Gorman will get things started by hosting the Tarkanian Classic which includes No. 5 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), defending national champ Lone Peak (Highland, Utah) and Redondo Union (Redondo Beach, Calif.), among others.



After Christmas, the Gaels head to Oregon for the Les Schwab Invitational with No. 9 Whitney Young (Chicago) and two-time defending Washington state champ Rainier Beach (Seattle).