April 29, 2011
"Location, location, location" and "timing is everything." These hackneyed expressions are most often associated with the superfluous real estate industry. However, they are also applicable to the college sports recruiting process.
In the case of Momir Gataric, these expressions are particularly appropriate. Last year, right before the club season started, he broke his ankle that sidelined him for about two months and then prevented him from playing to his potential when he initially returned. This 2011 shooting guard plays for Homestead High of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League, which is not one of the more prominent teams or leagues in the Northern California region.
Gataric's club coach, Bay Area Baller's Nelson Washington, says, "Momir is a D-I player without a doubt. If he was playing in Southern California, he would have had several scholarship offers already. Momir is a great kid, who wants to get better and he isn't afraid of hard work. He is by far one of the most underrated players in Northern California. He's a good student as well."
As a result, the timing of Gataric's ankle injury was bad as it was right before the critical offseason before his junior year when college coaches assess the potential of rising seniors. In addition, Gataric played for a Homestead Mustang team that finished a respectable 17-10 record but lost in the first round of the CCS playoffs to Serra High. Without a deep run during his senior year of playoffs, his exposure was limited in spotlight games.
At 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds, Gataric is the also overused expression "hidden gem." As a senior for the Mustangs, he average 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. Gataric has a versatile and balanced game. He can shoot from the mid-range perimeter but also has the size and speed to take the ball to the basket.
He compares his game to two former Pac-10 stars, James Harden and Russell Westbrook. He looks at Westbrook's combination of speed and strength, which is almost unstoppable at his position and also likes Westbrook's intensity and tenacity at which he attacks the basket with. Gataric likes Harden due to his ability to score from anywhere on the court whether it is a hard drive or three pointer while he also uses his body very well to keep defenders away on drives to the basket.
This varsity starter since his sophomore year considers himself to be a slasher type of a player. He uses his jab step to free himself up in the paint. During this offseason, he is increasing his strength through weight training. From a basketball perspective, he works on his shooting and ball handling to open his half court game even more.
Coach Washington says, "Momir's strengths are his ability to get into the lane and he can score from anywhere on the floor. On the court, he's very calm. Off the court, he's quiet and laid back."
As his senior year closes, Gataric is looking at the junior college route with hopes of transferring after one year to a Division I program. His academics are strong as he has a 3.30 GPA with a 1750 SAT. He would easily get into four year college programs on the basis of his academics alone, but Gataric wants to continue his basketball even if he has to take the junior college route.
He wants to play for a fast paced team that runs a lot and plays in the open court because that fits his strengths well. He would like the college possess strong academics and he is open to playing anywhere in the United States. At this point, Canada, Foothill, and Ohlone are the JUCO programs that are in contact with him.
Gataric is playing for the Bay Area Ballers this summer to get some additional exposure and some work on his game. He hopes for a late four year college offer. If that does not pan out, then Gataric will play at the junior college level and transfer accordingly thereafter to showcase his skills at the Division I level.
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