Both Gach putting in time to reach his goals

Published 7:08 pm Thursday, April 9, 2020

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While many around the country are stuck in their homes due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Austin native Both Gach is stuck in the gym and in the weightroom.

He is completely in his element.

Gach is back in Arizona, where he starred at Arizona Compass Prep, and he’s been training on a daily basis with Maryland big man Chol Marial, who plays at Maryland University. Chol is a 7-2, 230-pound center who also attended Arizona Compass Prep. He was rated as the No. 58 player in the country by ESPN during his senior year and he is the cousin of Detroit Pistons forward Thon Maker.

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Marial and Gach hit the courts with two trainers every day and they go to work.

“We have access to a gym that we use every day and we’re blessed to have that at this time. We’re trying to get better and improve,” Gach said. “I’m just hoping for the best.”

Gach recently declared himself eligible for the NBA draft, but he hasn’t hired an agent yet. He is still taking online classes for the University of Utah and the door is open for him to return to the Utes next season if he isn’t drafted. Gach, a 6-6, 183-pound guard, has played in 57 games in two seasons for the Utes and he averaged 10.7 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 40 percent from the field, 25 percent on three-pointers and 78 percent on free throws this past season for the Utes (16-15 overall).

Gach has his sights set on big things and he knows he’ll have to put in work to achieve those goals.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to be an NBA player one day. It’s hit me as I get closer and closer to my dreams,” Gach said. “I know where I stand as a basketball player and as a person and I’m trying to develop my game so I can be seen as someone who can play at the highest level one day. Right now I have a blessing to be a part of being one step closer to my dream.”

While it’s not likely he’ll get to do any public workouts with NBA scouts until the COVID-19 pandemic eases up, Gach isn’t slowing down. His life has revolved around the classes on his computer, the weights in the weightroom and the basketball court in the gym.

“It’s just a love for the game. I love basketball so much. It’s the greatest sport ever,” Gach said. “I’m always going to work. That’s just me and that’s just who I am. I’m never satisfied, no matter what. That’s how I was raised, that’s how I grew up and that’s how I started playing basketball. I was always in the gym.”

The NBA season is currently on hold due to the COVID-19 outbreak and it is uncertain if the season will resume. The NBA draft is set for June 25.