Starting the 2017-18 season at Apex High School, Jaylon Gibson was a 6’6″ forward. He had a solid season, going on to average 9.4 points, on 51% field goals, 7.1 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. Albeit productive, Gibson was a player who showed promise, but size-wise, he was between positions.

Fast forward to the start of the 2018-19 season, now at GRACE Christian in Cary, and you find a 6’10” Gibson walking through the doors. This is after a summer playing on the Adidas Circuit with Team Wall, where Gibson’s confidence grew immensely.

During one of his first open gyms with GRACE Christian, prior to the season starting, South Florida was in the gym watching, they offered on the spot.

While at Apex still, Gibson was an eye-catching player. You notice his stats, especially in the rebounding and blocked shots categories. After watching him play, our Jamie Shaw tweeted, 'Impressed with 6'7' Jaylon Gibson of Apex (NC) ability to protect the rim. Slender but great timing and soft hands. One to watch closely over the next year.'

By the time July came around, Gibson stood 6’8″ and he continued with the intrigue. Seeing him during the summer with Team Wall, our Jeff Bendel wrote, “Gibson is an extremely long big man with strong inside-out scoring ability; he can rise above nearly any opponent and frequently gets blocks/steals by way of his long arms. Gibson has a tremendous upside that he could reach sooner than later.'

So you could see the progress, you could see the growth, both in-game and stature, as he continued on. However, no expected him to walk through the doors at GRACE Christian as a versatile 6’10” guy who can handle, shoot, pass and block shots.

At our High School jamboree, just a week after the USF offer, Wake Forest and Providence followed suit. All it took was one time seeing him play, you knew the upside was immense.

Now, let’s jump forward to the current day. Gibson, now 7 feet tall, is signed sealed and delivered to play at Wake Forest. He is averaging 16 points, on 60% shooting and 11 rebounds per game.

He still possesses those same attributes he had when he was 6’6″, just two short years ago. He runs the floor like a wing, he is able to grab and go off the rebound and he is able to shoot with range or take his man off the bounce when facing up. The intrigue comes with that skill set at that size, but also in knowing that Gibson is still growing into his body.

A great kid, very humble by nature. He is growing in confidence by the day. Once that mean streak hits, once he gets that grown man strength that is sure to come with age, Gibson will be a terror.

This weekend will be a great matchup for Gibson as he goes against another 7 footers. Rarely are we able to see two high level 7 footers go at it, with comparable teams and in comparable circumstances. Well, Voyager Academy (Durham, NC) has Jonas Aidoo, another high level 7 footer.

A pair of unique 7 footers, they play at 3:30 at the 2nd Annual City of Oaks Classic at North Raleigh Christian Academy …