A&M Consolidated junior Karla Gilbert, one of the most highly regarded players in the country, has decided to play college basketball at Texas A&M.
The 6-foot-4 Gilbert recently gave a verbal commitment to A&M women's coach Gary Blair, pledging to sign with the Aggies during the early signing period next fall. Gilbert was recruited by schools from all over the nation, with A&M beating Baylor, Duke, Connecticut, Miami and Florida for her services.
"I just felt like I'm a part of the Texas A&M family," Gilbert said. "The players know me when I walk around and say hi to me. Coach Blair and the coaches have known me for a while. They said they enjoy everything about me, how I play, my personality, how I hold myself."
Gilbert is rated as the No. 12 player overall nationally and No. 2 post prospect in the Class of 2010 by ESPN's HoopGurlz.
"She's a little under the radar because of the high-profile players in Texas in that 2009 class," ESPN's Chris Hansen said. "She's everything you'd want for a college prospect at the post. She's going to make the fans and coaches at Texas A&M real happy."
College recruiters have been filling up Gilbert's mailbox since she impressed them last summer with her play for the Houston Elite team in AAU competition and in high-profile camps such as the one hosted by A&M.
Collegiate Girls Basketball Report ranks Gilbert No. 15 in the country and as the No. 4 post player in this year's junior class.
"She's got imposing size, but nimble footwork, great hands and mobility for her size," recruiting analyst Dan Olson said. "That, plus the fact that she finishes inside consistently, makes her one of the nation's elite players. I could project her being a real impact player in college. I think you're going to have to deal with this kid."
Gilbert has A&M and basketball in her bloodlines. Her mother, Consol head coach Nelda Gilbert, played post at the University of North Texas. Her father, Jimmie Gilbert, played for the Aggies.
The Consol standout is the second-highest rated member of HoopGurlz's 2010 national Top 60 to commit, behind No. 4-rated Lauren Avant, who picked Tennessee before her freshman season.
"Texas A&M has been in my head a long time," Gilbert said. "It's been one of my top choices for the longest. You know how you have that gut feeling and you just know that's the place that you want to be?"
Gilbert has been a dominant post player during her two years on the Consol varsity. As a freshman, she averaged 14.1 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. Last season, Gilbert had 14.5 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game as she led Consol's girls to their first district championship in 11 years.
Last weekend, Gilbert made an unofficial visit to A&M as part of a big recruiting effort by the Aggies. A&M hosted top prospects from the Class of 2009, including Fort Bend Dulles post Kelsey Bone (No. 2 nationally) and Norco, Calif., wing Cierra Windham (98). Other 2010 prospects on unofficial visits were Frisco guard Tiffany Moore (9) and Arlington Lamar guard Kristen Grant (52).
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