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Vilarino leaving Gonzaga

Posted by Jim Meehan

May 7, 2010 6:46 p.m. • 1 comment

Gonzaga is losing another guard. G.J. Vilarino (pictured above) has decided to transfer, a few days after Grant Gibbs was granted his release from GU.

More below in a short article that will run in Saturday’s S-R.

By Jim Meehan

jimm@spokesman.com; (208) 765-7131

Another guard is leaving the Gonzaga men’s basketball program.

G.J. Vilarino, who played sparingly as a freshman last season, has decided to transfer, his father, Gerry, said Friday night. Guard Grant Gibbs was granted his release from Gonzaga earlier this week and is expected to transfer closer to home. Forward Andy Poling left the team in January and he will play at Seattle Pacific.

Vilarino, who originally committed to Kentucky but he re-opened his recruitment shortly after John Calipari was hired as the Wildcats coach, played in 25 games. He averaged 7.8 minutes and 2.3 points.

“When it’s all said and done, playing time is important, but the most important thing is having an opportunity to compete for playing time,” Gerry Vilarino said. “When that opportunity isn’t there and it’s not clear why, it became a situation he couldn’t live with.”

Gerry Vilarino said his son is receiving interest from Pac-10, Big Ten and Big 12 schools, but declined to name them. Under NCAA transfer rules, G.J. would have to sit out next season and he’d had three years of eligibility remaining if he joins another D-I program.

“It was a difficult time, a difficult year for him,” Gerry said. “Those guys are wonderful guys, (Coach Mark) Few and (assistant coach Tommy) Lloyd, we just had a difference of opinion. That’s how it goes. … He has to be a point guard and they have a lot of kids that play that position. They wanted him to play the ‘2’ more than the ‘1’ (next season) and that’s not ultimately where he needs to play.”

Gerry added, “Gonzaga is a fantastic place, great student body and fans. It couldn’t be any better, but his dream is to play. Everything could be great, but if that part of his life isn’t right, then it’s not the right situation for him.”

Gonzaga returns starting guards Demetri Goodson and Steven Gray. Manny Arop and Bol Kong are wing options. David Stockton will be a redshirt freshman this fall and he’ll be joined by incoming guards Keegan Hyland and J.C. transfer Marquise Carter.

One comment on this post so far. Add yours!

ZWW on May 08 at 5:41 p.m.
Barring a home run recruit, the point guard position didn’t need any changes in 2010. Meech & GJ would’ve been a solid 1-1A punch, perhaps occasionally playing together (which could’ve been very exciting to see on the defensive end of the court). Grant could’ve played PG in a pinch, and David Stockton, too. The pursuit of JUCO PG Carter, with multiple options already in the program, was a severe case of over-recruitment - from this outsider’s perspective anyway. Maybe GJ and/or Grant were on their way out regardless - I don’t know. But was there even a home run to be hit with the incoming class? Not as I see it. I think a total commitment to developing those already in the system would’ve been the best move here - best from a 2010 standpoint, and best from a program-continuity standpoint. I’m most disappointed to see GJ leave. Exceptional quickness like his, especially laterally (think on-ball defense), is something Gonzaga should be highly valuing - not letting get away. Yep, transfers happen, but these recent ones are big-time bummers for this fan. All the best to both GJ and Grant.