Power Forward Recruit Michael Gilmore Heavily Considering K-State

Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

I’ve been admittedly down on Bruce Weber’s recruiting prowess – a stance that hasn’t won me a lot fans. However, he has a chance to win me over (at least a little bit) if he can close the deal with PF recruit Michael Gilmore in September. Gilmore, a player from Tallahassee, FL, would add some desperately needed height to the team and announced his intention to visit K-State last Friday.

Gilmore plays for E1T1 Elite, one of the premier AAU teams in the nation. At 6’9″, he an excellent finisher in the post and around the rim, capable of pulling defenders inside and opening up K-State’s stable of outside shooters if the basket is too protected. Speaking with State Of The U last month, Gilmore described his game saying, “my strengths are my length, my ability to run the floor and my ability to spread the floor – defenses have to step out and guard me while I’m on the perimeter. I’m still working to improve my ball handling, and I’m working to get stronger.”

Gilmore recently cut his list of candidates to three schools: VCU, Kansas State and Miami. With several offers (most on the East Coast), he made K-State one of his finalists after expressing a preference for a school he can receive early playing time that develops players well and has an emphasis on strength and conditioning (remember, K-State cut the ribbon on a new Basketball Practice Facility next to Bramlage last year).

Gilmore discussed his interest in Miami due to its proximity (for those that haven’t taken Florida Geography 101 recently, Miami is actually on the other end of the state about about a seven hour drive from Tallahassee, but still closer than Manhattan). He also stated an interest in the municipality’s dynamics – it’s a suburban area with a city feel, but still not that tightly packed or crowded. The same can be said for Manhattan, just a little less city.

Gilmore is a three star prospect and has stated an intention to decide where he’ll play before his senior season of basketball starts. I appreciate that – no distractions. The kid wants to make the best choice for himself long-term, and then get back to making himself better. K-State did a great job of recruiting South Florida with Frank Martin at the helm, but North Florida is different country. The Tallahassee area is more Alabama and good ol’ boys than sparkling white sand beaches and spring breakers. Hopefully he sees something he likes while visiting Manhattan in early September and makes that decision before his senior season starts wearing a cap sporting the Powercat.