Arizona Basketball Fandom: What it’s like to finally meet a player

The NBA G-League Winter Showcase is a great chance for players to get another look from NBA Scouts, but for this Wildcats fan, it’s a chance to watch her favorite players, Wildcats.

Every once and again, it’s fun to write about what it feels like to just be a fan, some experiences are like a gift especially for this Arizona Basketball fan,

I have been writing about Gabe York for years to the point I feel like I know him. I have studied his game, cheered for him from my couch and in person for years, followed his career through to the pro’s, prayed for him on end to find his team, etc. Just this week, I was fortunate to bump into Gabe, a fellow Native of Los Angeles, in Vegas. It was semi-orchestrated by fate and the Lakeland Magic scout who  believed in him.

It’s hard to explain how it went down, but I will try. I had it in my head I was going to meet Gabe at a South Bay Lakers game, but got the team wrong. Silly me, I was disappointed it was the wrong team that night. So then I took off to Vegas to join in NBA G-League Showcase festivities. Note: I also Contribute to the Lake Show Life (Lakers site).

More from Cats in the Pros

• From Arizona Wildcat to New York Yankee, Austin Wells gets called up
• Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s FIBA World Cup performance is reminiscent of Kobe Bryant’s
• Rawle Alkins a star in the Drew League this summer
• Former Wildcat Scooby Wright wins Second USFL Title
• The Edmonton Elks have re-signed former Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate

My business partner and I had been talking to players and coaches all day at one of the Vegas resorts that the teams were staying at and the games would be played in. I almost called it a night, it was late, but my business partner got to talking to a Lakeland scout about a new venture we are starting.

My eyes lit up when I found out I was talking to the scout, “Gabe York is on your team?” I exclaimed, “OMG I really want to meet him I have been covering him for years and it would be great to meet him and even better to get an interview.”

I went on to brag about this former Wildcat and the exciting basketball and heart he brought to Tucson, “Nine three’s in one game, I was there, OMG it was so fun!” And yes, I say OMG a lot (Oh my God).

We said goodnight and he entered the elevator bay but then stepped back and mouthed, “Just wait” and counted down with his fingers, five, four, three, two, one…and Gabe appeared. Now I am a huge Arizona Wildcats fan first and foremost, which is why I chose to work for FanSided, I can express my opinions and also brag on my Wildcats if I want to. The fan in me took over, I couldn’t hide it. Happens every time. Ryan Anderson, Stanley Johnson, and Jordin Mayes at the Drew League, yeah I gushed and got great interviews too.

I am sure my body language and facial expression could have frightened any human away, but not Gabe. My eyes lit up and I think I said, “GABE OMG!” Okay too much, but yeah I think that’s how it went down. I introduced myself and he was aware of our site and me, and he gave me a huge hug. HE IS SO SWEET! I mean like so sweet! Same with every Wildcat I eventually meet. Dusan at Illegal Pete’s, PJC outside of McKale, Rawle signing autographs.

As a Contributor to a sports blog, it’s a funky place to be in. You don’t necessarily get access to players or the coach, on occasion, maybe the Pac-12 lets you come to media day, but even then players have whisked away for their duties. At lunch, I have sat down with Sean Miller under the watchful eye of the current SID, or Rich Rodriguez along with Michael Lev and other Pac-12 coaches and players. Lev seriously does his job as a journalist, I have a ball asking all the questions fans want to know about. Coaches and players usually like to answer those more, so you wonder why there aren’t more blogs getting access. But hey, I’m not in charge.

So I just wanted to share my warm-hearted fate-driven fan experience while the high still lasts. I passed Nick Johnson but he was deep in conversation, so I didn’t bother him. I also would have loved to meet up with Kadeem Allen again.

For the record, York killed it in his second game, 22 points, six rebounds, five assists and made 4-5 free throws. As he exited the court after the big win, he flashed me his warm and wonderful smile as I whispered “22 points.” It was a perfect ending to the event for me.

I love seeing happy Wildcats, it makes  the fan in me happy. Bear Down Gabe! Thank you for making the fan experience fantastic for me!