Huskies’ Gilbert Ready To Go

Husky guard Alterique Gilbert, battling back from three shoulder
surgeries and two lost seasons, is raring to go for the 2018-19 campaign.

STORRS–It would be easy to think that Alterique Gilbert is used to this by now—except nobody really gets used to surgery, rehabs, and lost seasons. And nobody ever wants to.

But as Gilbert—he of the three shoulder surgeries, numerous months of rehab and two lost college basketball seasons—looks forward to UConn's upcoming 2018-19 campaign, he does so without apprehension about the future, nor regret about the past. The Husky guard is simply ready to go.

"Yeah, it has been a challenge for me, just because this is my third time doing it," Gilbert said, "but I'm very confident in my shoulder, very confident in what the doctors did for me. At this point, I'm just ready to have fun."

Gilbert, a former McDonald's All-American out of Lithonia, Ga., has been waiting for a season of fun since he left high school as Mr. Georgia Basketball and the Georgia Gatorade State Player of the Year. His first surgery was the summer before he arrived at UConn after dislocating his left (non-shooting) shoulder in the Jordan Brand Classic Game.

Following a summer of rehab, Gilbert played just two full games as a UConn freshman before suffering a torn labrum in his left shoulder in Game 3 against Loyola Marymount, requiring season-ending surgery. After more months of rehab, he returned last season, but reinjured the shoulder in Game 5 against Michigan State. He struggled to get through 17 minutes of the next game, but his season was over.

A third surgery was done in January and Gilbert again faced months of rehab. He was cleared for full basketball activities at the end of August.

"I'm feeling great… much better than I did last year," he said. "For me, I think it was just a mental thing. But knowing that physically, I'm 100 percent, I'm over the mental part now. I've been practicing full out for a while and I've taken some hits with no problem. But since I've been practicing, my biggest surprise is how I've felt afterward. There's been contact, but it hasn't been an issue. I feel great."

A healthy Gilbert, with his lightning quickness figures to make a world of difference for the Huskies, especially under new coach Dan Hurley, with his pressure defense and upbeat offense style.

"He's got some rust, so we've got to be careful with him," Hurley said. "But that guy – he's a soldier. He gets through a full practice with no hiccups and he's physically engaged. He's trying to be a leader even while he's getting his conditioning back. You wouldn't know he's had any issues with his shoulder."

During practice this fall, Gilbert has shown more and more flashes of the form that made him a Top 30 recruit. Now in his third year with the UConn program, he's excited to show off his talents for a full season.

"Sometimes, when you're a junior or senior, you become a little stale some days – been there, done that," Hurley said. "But not Al. He's young and hungry, a lot of energy, a lot of talking. Just grateful to be out there playing. It's given us a lift."

A natural leader, Gilbert's enthusiasm has been infectious. The Huskies have approached practice with a no-nonsense attitude.

"The vibes have felt better," Gilbert said. "We're more connected as a group. Everybody's excited, that's the biggest thing. We know we have a lot of work to do, but all in all, we're all looking forward for the season to start. We can't wait.

"Teams may not regard UConn as high as they used to, and that's fine. At UConn, we've been the underdog before. But we're willing to work … it's about continuity, chemistry, brotherhood and leadership." 

And for Alterique Gilbert, it's also about having a season of fun – finally.

UConn’s 2018-19 men's basketball season begins with an exhibition game vs. Southern Connecticut State University on Friday, Nov. 2, at Gampel Pavilion. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.

—Staff Reports