Gabriel Cruz '21 Recruiting Profile

My name is Gabriel Jose Cruz Ramírez. I am a senior at Dorado Academy (DA), in Dorado Puerto Rico. I joined DA on 4th grade and have played in the school basketball team since then, being the only 4th grade student, which made the Mini Basketball team that year.

I have played Basketball Club Tournaments, but my club basketball life has not been that consistent, due to family issues. The important thing about this is that I have not let that drag me down. I am fast and agile, always been a very defensive player, often pick for box and one defense against big point offensive.  I am 6.0 feet and a 1-2 swing player. I absolutely love this game, even when I have also trained and competed in cross country, middle-distance track, high jump, and swimming. Times for me have been challenging between family and atmospheric issues on the island, but my spirit will just not quit. I had big plans the beginning of this year, 2 club tournaments and to participate in Las Vegas Classics; The Bigfoot Hoops Tournament these past July, but COVID hit and, well, change of plans. I have lived adversity, and I am determined to play, and there is not a cell in my body that talks about quitting. I believe that when the going gets tough, I get going…

Academically, I have been in the principal/honor roll all my student life, currently have a 3.96 GPA, with AP and honor classes all throughout, thus have received many academic and athlete awards. I am a born leader, academically and athletically, been team captain several times, and stride for greatness and fellowship among teammates.

Additional to my athletic aptitude, I also have a highly creative side to my personality. Love music and acting, as I have made several big screen movie scenes, a couple documentaries, modeled, and have written and sang several freestyles. 

Committing and coming through is what I been taught from my mother, as she has raised me, barely having my father in the picture. I will not let her down, I will not let me down, and I will not let down anybody that will put their trust in me.

So, all I need now are opportunities. People that will give me a chance, their support and that will continue to encourage me to aim high. I have big goals, want to play college basketball and make my mom proud, I would also love to be a Chiropractor, but only if I cannot be an NBA player, or a professional basketball player . That is how it goes in my mind, the game is not over, until it is, and then, is the best of plan B, or C, but always moving forward.