Highland Park senior guard Gabe Shamberg has news for anyone who associates education with classrooms only.
Shamberg was in full learning mode when he arrived as the only sophomore on the Giants’ varsity team two years ago.
“One of my goals was to make varsity as a sophomore, so when I got here, I was happy,” he said. “But there was a big learning curve. Those seniors taught me a lot and showed me how I could be a leader when I got to this point.”
Indeed, Shamberg has become one of those teachers for the Giants (7-12, 2-4), who were scheduled to play Vernon Hills in a Central Suburban North game on Thursday. Highland Park’s coaches have a firm grip on the X’s and O’s. But Shamberg rides tandem, guiding younger players in the program, whether there’s a basketball nearby or not.
For instance, Highland Park players are instructed to not wear hoodies or hats indoors, and coaches aren’t the people who enforce that.
“As a program, we have concepts and rules we follow, and it’s up to us to make sure they’re maintained,” Shamberg said. “I learned as a sophomore that sometimes you have to be willing to call out your friends.”
With Shamberg there to steer the ship in the right direction, that burden is lessened for Highland Park coach Ross Deutsch and his staff.
“He’s the conduit between the coaches and the team regarding everything we need to have communicated,” Deutsch said. “I can give him a look, and Gabe will know what needs to be taken care of. He knows our no’s and is the type of guy we want to model the tenets of our program.”
There’s an on-court component in Shamberg’s vocal leadership as well. For instance, he plays in the back end of the 1-2-2 zone the Giants often employ. As one of the two players closest to the basket, along with Nick Blumer, Shamberg has the best view of the opposing offense and has the task of loudly, and quickly, communicating with the teammates in front of him.
More often than not, the Giants’ zone prevents opponents from pushing the tempo. They have allowed less than 50 points in 12 of 19 games this season.
“It’s up to us to stop the ball from getting into the middle and to close out in the corners and not let their guys drive baseline,” Shamberg said. “It’s almost like we’re a free safety in football where we see everything.”
Shamberg, who averages 6.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists and has taken a team-high eight charges, also plays a big role on the offensive end. Given Highland Park’s roster makeup, the 6-foot Shamberg is often asked to crash the boards. But he has scoring on his mind too.
“When I was a sophomore, I was really just a shooter,” he said. “I’ve evolved into more of a slasher role. My teammates are constantly telling me to get downhill, and I know that if I do, I’ll have four guys to choose from who are spotting up. My teammates instill confidence in me.”
Shamberg has earned that confidence with both words and actions on a team that includes 13 juniors and just four seniors.
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“He’s been in this position for a while, and his competitiveness is a big part of his leadership,” junior guard Asher Diamond said. “We all know how much he cares about everyone else’s success.”
Shamberg does spend considerable time thinking about others. But as his senior season winds down, he’s also finding more time for himself.
“I’ve talked with my family a lot about that lately,” he said. “I’ve been trying to stop and look around and take it all in, whether it’s in film, practice or hanging out with guys getting food. You want to look back and have good memories.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.