6-foot-8 freshman Chantell Gonzalez could become center of attention in girls high school basketball

Video: Chantell Gonzalez in action
Fort Lauderdale freshman could develop into one of the nation's most intriguing prospects.

Chantell Gonzalez stands out in the world of girls high school basketball.

At 6-foot-8, she's one of the nation's tallest player and would already be the second-tallest player in the WNBA.

Even scarier, Gonzalez is barely 15 years old.

The towering freshman wears a size 13 shoe and possesses a 6-foot-11 wingspan.

She's always been different.

"I was 6-foot by fifth grade and already taller than both of my parents," Gonzalez told MaxPreps. "I swam competitively for two years, but the doctors made me stop in fifth grade because I was growing too fast and the bones in my legs began to bend. I required surgery to straighten out my knees."

But Gonzalez soon found Archbishop McCarthy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) head coach Michael Wholey and he guided her on a new path.

"Chantell was 6-foot-3 when I first saw her in seventh grade. She stuck out," Wholey told MaxPreps. "She was living four hours away in Key West with her parents and they came to me in search of individual basketball training. They trusted me and finally decided for her to fully succeed they needed her to be up here full time. She's been living here with her sister since the start of this school year."

The move paid off and Gonzalez is blossoming in a reserve role.

She is averaging 4.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game this season in helping the 18-win Mavericks reach the state playoffs for the first time since 2013. Archbishop McCarthy will battle Suncoast (Riviera Beach) on Thursday in the Florida Class 6A regional quarterfinals.

Her exceptional shot blocking and rebounding skills have spurred interest from Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami, South Carolina and USC.

Wholey, a former Georgia Tech and University of Memphis assistant, recognizes her full potential.

"The crazy thing is Chantell has been playing organized basketball for just three years," Wholey said. "She can really block shots and rebound the ball on both ends. She has a nose for the ball defensively and is an intimidating presence with her length. She also runs the floor and passes well for her size. Not many female basketball players on this planet are above 6-foot-8, so the potential is undeniable."

She may not be done growing. Doctors told Gonzalez she could sprout to an astounding 7-foot-1, which could make her the second-tallest player in WNBA history behind Margo Dydek (7-foot-2).

Fans are already treating Gonzalez like a future pro.

"Random people and fans always ask Chantell to take pictures with them," Wholey said. "She's like a mini-celebrity most places she goes."

Yet Wholey realizes Gonzalez is still a work in progress.

"People tell her she's 6-foot-8, and she'll be in the WNBA someday, but there's a ton of work in between to get to that level," Wholey said.

She's ready to grind toward her goal.

"I want to play in the WNBA someday," Gonzalez said. "This past summer I went to six different camps and played travel ball with the Miami Suns. I'm always trying to stay active. If I don't do anything on our days off, then I feel like I didn't do anything to improve my game."