Is Gerard Coleman The Answer At SF? The Providence Transfer Will Visit Gonzaga

While many fans have focused on the number of players that have transferred out of the Gonzaga program, it looks like there may be a player the staff wants to bring in. After missing out on Trent Lockett, who elected to return closer to home, the Gonzaga coaching staff is bringing Gerard Coleman to campus for the next couple of days on an official visit. The Massachusetts native spent his first two years at Providence, where he averaged in double-figures as both a freshman and sophomore.

Although Coleman will be forced to sit out a year due to transfer rules, he has the length and athleticism to make a huge impact at Gonzaga. In order to learn more about the talented SF, who averaged 13.2 ppg and 5.0 rpg last season, we caught up with Marcus O'Neil, the head coach at the Tilton School, where Gerard played his prep basketball. Here is his breakdown of Gerard's game:

Gerard is explosive and slippery in the open court. He finishes well at the rim and can hit tough floaters, pullups and off balance shots in the paint. In an uptempo setting and with shooters around him, he is extremely dangerous. At Providence he rebounded the ball extremely well. Defensively, his length, quickness and inticipation allow help him to apply pressure on the ball and to get into passing lanes. He makes pretty good reads on side pick and rolls and is a good drive and dish player.

As Coach O'Neil mentioned, Coleman would bring an athletic wing that is comfortable beating his defender off the dribble and finishing at the rim. With guys like Kevin Pangos, GBJ and Kyle Dranginis that can light it up from the perimeter, bringing in a guy that can slash and finish at the rim would add another impressive offensive option to the team going forward. While perimeter shooting is something that Coleman needs to improve on after shooting only 23.8% from behind the three-point line last season, O'Neil thinks he would take advantage of that opportunity during his redshirt year.

The year he sits out as a transfer will allow him to continue to work in the weight room and on his perimeter shooting. He likes to be in the gym and will make good use of this time.

We want to thank Coach O'Neil for the breakdown on Gerard. We will keep everyone updated and provide a recap after the visit to Spokane.