McGlothan keeps base at GCU between pro stops

Gabe McGlothan rode a camel in the Middle East, talked with a former NBA Most Valuable Player for a half-hour bus ride and checked into an NBA game.

Gabe McGlothan on a camel

McGlothan no longer needs to envision what it looks like to attain his goal of an NBA life. The former Grand Canyon star walked the NBA scene this summer, when he played for the Denver Nuggets' NBA Summer League team and participated in the Nuggets' training camp that included a two-exhibition game trip this month to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

This weekend, McGlothan will head to Michigan to join the Grand Rapids Gold, the Nuggets' G League affiliate where the 25-year-old will start his pro basketball career in earnest. In between Nuggets life and his first pro season, McGlothan returned to GCU and his hometown this month to enjoy a newfound peace.

McGlothan entered Nuggets training camp with angst about vying for a job on a 21-man camp roster that included 18 players who either were on guaranteed contracts (15) or two-way contracts (three).

"That was stressing me out during Summer League and then I gave it God,' " said McGlothan, who wears Romans 15:13 on a wristband as a reminder to draw hope from God. "I was like, 'Whatever You have, I'm here for it. I just want to walk with You. Where did I place my hope? Is it in a job or is it in You?' "

Gabe McGlothan (Nuggets)

McGlothan averaged 2.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.4 steals and 0.4 blocks in 16 minutes per game at NBA Summer League, where he made 3 of 6 shots from 3-point range. That led to an Exhibit 10 contract signing, which placed him amid the Nuggets' media day and an ensuing international trip for NBA Global Games against the NBA champion Boston Celtics.

"I just wanted take what He had for me out of the experience," McGlothan said. "Have Your will be done, and grow me the way You want to grow me. I started experiencing peace and joy where I was at, and I started to experience getting better. Honestly, my love for the game is more than it ever has been."

Nuggets camp practices brought out new tools for McGlothan that he is working to develop further and gave him indelible off-the court memories.

McGlothan and Russell Westbrook conversed deeply for 30 minutes on an Abu Dhabi ride. DeAndre Jordan gave McGlothan his insights on the NBA and advice for how to stick in it. He hung out with Aaron Gordon, talked faith with Michael Porter Jr. and connected in a new way with Christian Braun, the third-year Nugget who had visited GCU games last season because he is Lopes star Tyon Grant-Foster's childhood friend from their Kansas City roots.

"There are a lot of people on the team that I can look at and say, 'That's my guy,' " McGlothan said. "It's kind of crazy to see how they go about their way. Just the pro way of life. You're super-disciplined in what you do and consistent. Have good habits and that's what carries them."

After McGlothan arrives in Grand Rapids this weekend, he will participate in the Gold's training camp to prepare for the Nov. 8 season opener. With former 17-year NBA standout Andre Miller as the Grand Rapids head coach, McGlothan will be joined on the team by other rookies, such as Creighton guard Trey Alexander, Stanford forward Spencer Jones, Auburn power forward Jaylin Williams and Maryland point guard Jahmir Young. Any NBA team will have the ability to call up McGlothan.

"When guys leave like that and go do bigger things past college basketball, coming back to share their experiences is amazing," GCU junior center Duke Brennan said of being reunited with McGlothan this month at GCU. "You learn from them. You love seeing them go up there because that's your dream too. He shared a lot of knowledge, and it was great seeing him."

McGlothan said he is learning new ways to play and to watch video, but he has a constant with his base at GCU.

"My heart will always be here," McGlothan said of his alma mater.

Grand Canyon University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Duke Brennan

Tyon Grant-Foster

Gabe McGlothan

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