Gavin Griffiths Shines in High School Debut at Jersey Mike’s Arena
Dec 30 | Men's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers men's basketball's 2023-24 commit Gavin Griffiths seemed right at home on Thursday night in Piscataway.
The six-foot-eight guard/forward from Kingswood-Oxford High School (Simsbury, Conn.) took on Life Center Academy in the opening matchup of a four-game high school basketball event called The Battle of New Jersey at Jersey Mike's Arena.
Griffiths led his squad to a 71-56 victory with a game-high 33 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Griffiths flashed an elite stroke from all over the court, but especially from beyond the arc.
He was (14-24) from the field and (4-8) from three-point range. He blocked one shot and only had one turnover.
"It was awesome," Griffiths said postgame. "Every time I walk in here, it's great. The arena is so nice. I can't wait to play in front of fans and in front of students. ... I'm a huge fan of coach Pikiell. I watch all the games on TV. Seeing Caleb (McConnell), Cliff (Omoruyi), Paul (Mulcahy), all of them here, it's pretty cool."
The current 2022-23 Scarlet Knights were all in attendance, including all of the players who sat behind the hoop to watch their future teammate. Head coach Steve Pikiell and his three assistant coaches (Brandin Knight, Karl Hobbs and T.J. Thompson) took in the action as well.
Griffiths started the game on fire and had 17 points in the first half. He flashed some elite passing skills getting his teammates involved from the jump. He made shots from all over the floor including a jaw-dropping alley-oop dunk in the second half.
"I'm going to play really hard, unselfish, make the right play, make the right pass and score when it comes to me," Griffiths said. "I've been a good passer, but especially this year, playing with really good teammates, I want to win so much, when I see someone open I want to get the ball to them as quickly as possible."
Griffiths had one critique on his own game, citing his 14 boards.
"I was definitely excited to play, and I was happy that shots went in early," he said. "I was just excited we got the win. I probably could have gotten some more rebounds. Next time."
Griffiths donned a Rutgers warmup shirt in the pregame which coincidentally matched the colors of his high school uniform. Griffiths and his team practiced at the RWJ Barnabas Health Athletic Performance Center, the training facility of the Rutgers men's basketball team in the morning.
Griffiths said when he signed his National Letter of Intent that the fans at Jersey Mike's Arena played a huge role in his decision to commit and cited the game he attended on Senior Night last season against Penn State as a day that he will never forget. He had the same feeling playing at the arena with his high school squad on Thursday.
"It was great," Griffiths said. "Every time I see the facilities, it's just awesome. It's crazy that I'm going go to be able to use those next year and play here. Playing here is awesome, but it's going to be even cooler getting to play here every game. I'm just super excited."
For more on Griffiths and his commitment to RU, read this profile on him being welcomed to #TheKnighthood.
Some other highlights from the event included some members of the 2022-23 team meeting NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony, who was at the event to watch his son play for Christ the King in the following game.
The six-foot-eight guard/forward from Kingswood-Oxford High School (Simsbury, Conn.) took on Life Center Academy in the opening matchup of a four-game high school basketball event called The Battle of New Jersey at Jersey Mike's Arena.
Griffiths led his squad to a 71-56 victory with a game-high 33 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Griffiths flashed an elite stroke from all over the court, but especially from beyond the arc.
He was (14-24) from the field and (4-8) from three-point range. He blocked one shot and only had one turnover.
"It was awesome," Griffiths said postgame. "Every time I walk in here, it's great. The arena is so nice. I can't wait to play in front of fans and in front of students. ... I'm a huge fan of coach Pikiell. I watch all the games on TV. Seeing Caleb (McConnell), Cliff (Omoruyi), Paul (Mulcahy), all of them here, it's pretty cool."
The current 2022-23 Scarlet Knights were all in attendance, including all of the players who sat behind the hoop to watch their future teammate. Head coach Steve Pikiell and his three assistant coaches (Brandin Knight, Karl Hobbs and T.J. Thompson) took in the action as well.
Griffiths started the game on fire and had 17 points in the first half. He flashed some elite passing skills getting his teammates involved from the jump. He made shots from all over the floor including a jaw-dropping alley-oop dunk in the second half.
"I'm going to play really hard, unselfish, make the right play, make the right pass and score when it comes to me," Griffiths said. "I've been a good passer, but especially this year, playing with really good teammates, I want to win so much, when I see someone open I want to get the ball to them as quickly as possible."
Griffiths had one critique on his own game, citing his 14 boards.
Some highlights from @gavingriff_'s performance on Thursday👀👀👀🛡️⚔️ https://t.co/nYwIVmYHhQ pic.twitter.com/l5xuoFRjXE
— Rutgers Men's Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) December 30, 2022
"I was definitely excited to play, and I was happy that shots went in early," he said. "I was just excited we got the win. I probably could have gotten some more rebounds. Next time."
Griffiths donned a Rutgers warmup shirt in the pregame which coincidentally matched the colors of his high school uniform. Griffiths and his team practiced at the RWJ Barnabas Health Athletic Performance Center, the training facility of the Rutgers men's basketball team in the morning.
New Jersey feels like home for 2023-24 commit @gavingriff_.
— Rutgers Men's Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) December 30, 2022
Griffiths had a game-high 33 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and two steals in the win in his high school debut at OUR arena on Thursday.#TheKnighthood🛡️⚔️
Griffiths said when he signed his National Letter of Intent that the fans at Jersey Mike's Arena played a huge role in his decision to commit and cited the game he attended on Senior Night last season against Penn State as a day that he will never forget. He had the same feeling playing at the arena with his high school squad on Thursday.
"It was great," Griffiths said. "Every time I see the facilities, it's just awesome. It's crazy that I'm going go to be able to use those next year and play here. Playing here is awesome, but it's going to be even cooler getting to play here every game. I'm just super excited."
For more on Griffiths and his commitment to RU, read this profile on him being welcomed to #TheKnighthood.
Some other highlights from the event included some members of the 2022-23 team meeting NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony, who was at the event to watch his son play for Christ the King in the following game.
Stay Melo@carmeloanthony pic.twitter.com/bMHQA34jFd
— Rutgers Men's Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) December 29, 2022
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