A decorated multi-sport athlete in high school, Michael Gini is ready to take his game and education to the next level.
The 18-year-old Immaculata grad will attend Red Deer College this fall where he’ll enrol in the business program, while playing for the Kings’ men’s basketball team.
“It’s a good business school and they have a great basketball program, so I think it will be a good fit for me,” said Gini, a 5-foot-9 point guard.
Gini, who is also a skilled athlete on the baseball diamond and on the soccer pitch, led the Mustangs to a berth in last season’s B.C. A boys basketball final.
He was named the Mustangs’ season MVP and was also recognized as Immaculata’s senior male athlete of the year.
On top of his athletic exploits, Gini is also skilled in the classroom possessing a 3.85 GPA.
Gini had a number of post-secondary offers in both baseball and basketball, but felt pursuing the college route on the hardwood was the best option.
A well regarded basketball program across Canada, the Kings have been to the national collegiate championship in three of the last four years.
“At a CIS school, I would have probably had to redshirt, but (in Red Deer) I’m going to get a chance to get some playing time, and that’s what I wanted,” said Gini. “It’s also one of the best programs in Canada, so that’s a big bonus, too.”
Kings’ head coach Clayton Pottinger had a good look at Gini last month when he played for Red Deer in a spring tournament and liked a lot of what he saw from the Kelowna guard.
“He has a complete skill set, a lot of high school guards don’t handle ball as well as he does,” said Red Deer College head coach Clayton Pottinger. “He shoots well and has a high basketball IQ.
“We didn’t sugar coat it to Michael, he knows it’s going to be competitive and like all the guys, he’s going to have to work for his time. But I expect he’ll be up to the challenge.”
Gini expects to head to Red Deer in mid-August.
