Gabe Knutson: the best of both worlds
8/6/2013 1:35:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Tickets
Following his freshman season at Lehigh, Gabe Knutson went on a basketball tour through Bulgaria with Athletes in Action. Little did he know, three years later, he would sign a professional contract to play with Balkan Botevgrad in that country's top division.
"C.J. [McCollum] went to East Asia and I went to Bulgaria," said Knutson. "I got a chance to watch the first division there, which is where I'll be playing. I actually watched the team I signed with."
Knutson had just finished his freshman campaign in the Brown and White, which ended in the first of two NCAA Tournament appearances. At the time, Knutson was already an impressive player, appearing in all 33 games (starting 32) while averaging 9.5 points per game.
"I knew I could play in the second division there as a freshman," said Knutson. I knew I was a few years off skill-wise from potentially playing in the first division, but I knew there would be an opportunity. I had a feeling it was a possibility the whole time. That trip was my first exposure of foreign basketball."
Knutson leaves for Bulgaria later this week (Aug. 9). There's a team meeting on Saturday, Aug. 10 to kick things off with training camp for two weeks. Camp will include conditioning, weight training and two-a-days. They will then travel to surrounding countries to play in games and scrimmages.
Gabe was the second of three from the Lehigh Men's Basketball senior class to sign professionally. McCollum was selected 10th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA Draft, while Holden Greiner recently inked a deal in the Netherlands. Not only did the senior class feature three 1,000 point scorers, but also three professional players.
Knutson is a model example of where Lehigh can lead, both academically and athletically. Student-athletes receive a prestigious education, with a chance to play basketball at the next level. Just look at this senior class.
"I'm fully anticipating basketball to work out - play well, have a great experience and hopefully keep playing," said Knutson. "Either way, with a Lehigh degree, that will take me somewhere in itself. I'm really excited by the fact that the degree is pretty hirable. It's well-renowned and well-known, especially in the New York City area.
"I'm excited to play, but if that doesn't work out or if I decide it's not for me, I'll be able to come back and work somewhere with my degree."
"It's very rewarding to see Gabe, who has excelled in the classroom, have the chance to play professionally," said Lehigh head coach Brett Reed. "Gabe had a job offer while he was a senior at Lehigh. For him to defer that job offer so he can play is really a unique thing."
Knutson is interning in New York City this summer with Pricewaterhouse Coopers along with teammate and rising Lehigh senior Anthony D'Orazio, also an Accounting major. They are rooming together in the city and working in different branches of the organization - Gabe in assurance (auditing) and Anthony in advisory.
The Iowa native was exploring professional opportunities when his agent called about an offer in Bulgaria. Knutson ultimately signed on July 7.
"It was time to make a decision," said Knutson. "At the time, that was my only offer. I was watching C.J. in Vegas and was playing in my own tournament. I had to make a decision before going to that tournament.
"Basketball-wise, it's a great opportunity," he continued. "I've had a chance to talk to the coach. He's very respected in the area. I think I'll have a chance to play a lot and play well. It's a good place to start off and then potentially move from there."
It's a life-changing time for Knutson, who will have to adjust to a new country. Lehigh has helped prepare Knutson for all aspects of life. This summer is one example.
"I've been working full-time and playing basketball, working out to get better at basketball, which is what I've been doing the past four years at Lehigh," said Knutson. "This summer has been a challenge, but it's nothing new to me."
That time management will prove most important and helpful for Knutson. He will have basketball to focus on, along with some classes. Gabe needs approximately 15 more credits to reach 150 credit hours and take the CPA exam to become a certified public accountant. That will keep him busy, but still pales in comparison to his workload at Lehigh.
"It's going to be a great opportunity," said Knutson. "Lehigh has prepared me well. I'll be able to put in a whole lot more time on top of practice because I'm going to have more free time. I'm used to taking 15 credits a semester, going to class all day then practicing three hours and playing games on weekends.
"I'm going over there and will have basketball for a few hours a day along with a little bit of study time for only three credits," he continued. "I feel like I'm very well prepared and will be able to focus a whole lot more energy into each."
Knutson was a three-time Academic All-Patriot League honoree, an All-Patriot League Player, All-District honoree and a candidate for the prestigious Senior CLASS Award. He was a critical part of Lehigh Men's Basketball at its peak, hopefully just the beginning of continued growth for the program.
Lehigh's recent success is much more than just C.J. McCollum and Knutson was an integral part.
"We had a lot of talent around me," said McCollum. "It wasn't just me. Gabe did a terrific job, a 1,500 point scorer. Holden is another 1,000 point scorer who really assumed a larger role this year when I got hurt."
"I'm thankful I was able to play well at Lehigh and get notice for my basketball and academic abilities," said Knutson.
Knutson hopes to continue the recent success of Mountain Hawks playing professionally, following in the footsteps of players like Marquis Hall, Michael Ojo and Prentice Small, just to name a few.
"We've had very good success with our players transitioning and playing well at the professional level because our program has standards they've been able to adhere to," said Reed.
"Not everybody has an opportunity to have the best of both worlds. Lehigh has been able to produce that for Gabe and Gabe has been able to produce that for himself. Now, he has the chance to play at a very high level, play basketball for money and fulfill a lifelong goal and aspiration. For that, you couldn't be happier for him."
