Gibson has been on a steep upward climb in the past year. Last winter she made her way up to varsity at Apple Valley, then this summer with Team FSA she took her game even higher. Both lengthy and explosive, Avery has plenty of physical tools on the basketball court. She runs the floor with ease, elevates smoothly, and can get in the passing lanes on defense. While the 5’10 forward doesn’t have a ton of high-level playing experience, she’s already showing plenty of great instincts and raw talent. Each time we watch her play, Gibson competes hard and shares the ball unselfishly. She enters the rankings at #104.

Another player who found multiple ways to make an impression was Apple Valley forward Avery Gibson Avery Gibson 5'10" | 200 lbs | SF/PF Apple Valley | 2029 State MN . At 5-foot-10, she used her length and activity to disrupt opponents and create opportunities for her team to get out and run. That type of effort keeps a player on the court and makes teammates want to play alongside her because they know they can count on her to consistently bring energy. Gibson was extremely unselfish during the 5-on-5 portion, and it appeared that was simply how she chose to approach the day. During 3v3 play, however, she was much more aggressive and showed she could create offense when needed. That contrast leads me to believe she isn’t limited offensively – she’s simply the ultimate team player, willing to provide whatever the game calls for.

Gibson is certainly on the right trajectory having risen over the past year from B/C travel ball to varsity action to a strong AAU campaign for Tommy Chatman’s Team FSA squad. Finally watching her play in person this weekend it’s easy to see why Gibson is on the way up. The 5-foot-10 Apple Valley guard possesses an impressive combination of size, athleticism and physical strength. A state qualifier in the high jump, Gibson’s explosiveness translates naturally to the basketball court, where she elevates well, covers ground quickly and attacks with gusto. She has the burst to get past defenders and the strength to finish through contact while consistently taking care of the little things that help teams win. A fundamentally sound player with quality shooting mechanics, Gibson plays with confidence, competes hard and continues to trend sharply upward. What she lacks is experience. What she has is raw talent and a big motor.