Latest news with #Sularski
Chicago Tribune
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Gabriel Sularski, top senior in Illinois for basketball, leaves Lemont for Utah power. ‘Can't wait to get started.'
After just one season at Lemont, star guard Gabriel Sularski is leaving the state for his senior year. Sularski, who had been ranked as the top player in Illinois for the 2026 class by Rivals, is transferring to Layton Christian Academy in Utah. He confirmed the move in an interview with Rivals. 'I'm really excited to join Layton Christian,' Sularski told the website. 'I think it's a great place for me to grow both as a player and a person. The competitive schedule, the coaching staff and the environment will push me to reach the next level. 'I can't wait to get started and represent the program.' Sularski played with Lemont over the weekend at the Romeoville Shootout, but Lemont coach Rick Runaas said he was informed Thursday of his standout player's intention to transfer again. 'We wish him luck and we thank him for the year he gave us,' Runaas said. Sularski started his high school career at Benet before transferring to Lemont following his sophomore season. The Redwings then went on to win the Class 4A state title. Layton Christian, meanwhile, has won seven state championships in basketball, including the 2023-24 title in 4A. As a junior last winter, Sularski averaged 17.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists for Lemont. He was selected all-state and second team all-area and was named the South Suburban Blue's player of the year. Sularski also has international experience, having played for Poland's U16 national team. All four of his grandparents were born in Poland. Before his sophomore season even began, Sularski received scholarship offers from several major colleges, including Illinois and Michigan State. More recently, he picked up offers this summer from Toledo and Arkansas State. Lemont ended up with a 26-8 record last season, losing 53-41 to eventual Class 3A state runner-up Brother Rice in a sectional final on the Crusaders' home court. It was already going to be a different-looking Lemont team next season after the graduation of four key players. Junior guard Zane Schneider, a three-sport standout, will likely be looked at to lead the way now. 'We're going to miss Gabe, but Lemont is still going to have a basketball team next season,' Runaas said. 'We're looking forward to another good year.'
Chicago Tribune
06-03-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
With time running out, Gabriel Sularski gets Lemont past Marian Catholic. The drive? ‘Just knew I had to attack.'
Lemont's Gabriel Sularski knew by the look on his team's bench how scarce the time was. The 6-foot-6 junior guard then quickly played out every scenario that he could imagine. 'I had to take the ball out of bounds, and I was not certain whether I'd get the ball back,' Sularski said. 'I got the handoff on the inbounds, I saw their big guy, and I just knew I had to attack.' And that's exactly what he did. Sularski's 3-point play with 3.9 seconds remaining Wednesday night powered Lemont to a 56-54 victory over Marian Catholic in a Class 3A Brother Rice Sectional semifinal in Chicago. Lemont (26-7), which won its 12th straight game, will play at 7 p.m. Friday against the host Crusaders (28-6) for the sectional championship. A theatrical stage frames Brother Rice's basketball court, a fitting monument given how Sularski and Marian Catholic's Zack Sharkey put on a highlight-reel show worthy of a Tony award. Sharkey, a senior guard, finished with 32 points for the Spartans (26-8). His 3-pointer with 11 seconds remaining built a 54-53 lead. He also scored 19 points in the second quarter. While senior forward Delan Davis finished with 11 points for Marian, Sularski responded with 28 points, seven rebounds and six assists. His creativity and playmaking proved to be crucial. 'When I came into Lemont this summer, I didn't really what to expect,' said Sularski, who transferred in from Benet. 'I knew I had really good shooters around me. 'Ever since I was little, I've always learned to be a playmaker for myself and play for others. That has always been a big factor for me.' Sularski's playmaking set up senior forward Matas Gaidukevicius, who made three 3-pointers in scoring 13 points. Senior guard Shea Glotzbach added eight points. As a first-year player in the program, Sularski showed remarkable chemistry and awareness of his new teammates. He found openings in Lemont's motion offense, optimizing the half court game. 'A lot of teams like to start out by face-guarding me or other shooters, and that gives him so much space inside to do what he does,' Gaidukevicius said. 'When he first got here, it was kind of awkward because most of us play the same way and suddenly somebody new got thrown. 'We've had a lot of time to build this chemistry.' Significantly, the winner came with Sularski driving right and shooting with his nominal off-hand. The natural left-hander prefers to finish with his right hand in lane and around the basket. 'He's very ambidextrous that way,' Lemont coach Rick Runaas said. 'I have him in class, and I know he writes with his right hand. He hits a golf club and shoots with his left. 'He had his ups and downs, some turnovers, some missed shots, but he's always up for the challenge.' Sularski finished through contact against Marian's Landon Mays, a solid 6-5 sophomore forward. 'I broke my thumb in fifth grade, so I got to work on my left hand even more than usual,' Sularski said. 'I've worked really hard to get strong with both hands. Everyone tries to just force me right. 'But that's huge for me having the finishing ability with either hand.' Sularski also shrugged off an air ball on a 3-point attempt. He never lost his cool, even when Marian surged with a 13-0 run in the fourth quarter that wiped out Lemont's nine-point lead. 'I've talked about this a lot with my coach that resilience is a big thing with me,' he said. 'Not everything's going to go your way. There are going to be turnovers. 'If you let it get to your head, you'll lose the game. No matter what, I try to stay through it.' Originally Published:
