2024 Antioch F/C Gaby Abigor Keeps it Local With Cal

One of four commits to Cal’s 2024 class, F/C Gaby Abigor has starred in the shadow of the university, just 20 minutes down the highway at Berean Christian High School in Walnut Creek. The 6’3 senior is one of three Cal commits starring for former Cal great and NBA Hall of Famer Jason Kidd’s Jason Kidd Select program this class.

The local star has put up absolute monster numbers at Berean, averaging 25.5 points, 18.42 rebounds, 9.2 blocks, 4.3 steals and 2.5 assists per game in her three-year prep career and also leading the nation in blocks as a soph.

"What really stands out in my mind was when I got the offer from Cal was they actually allowed me to invite my teammates as well to the game when I got the offer, Abigor said of when she got her offer from Cal. “So one of them came out as well to go to watch that game. That was really fun. After the game when I got the offer, they had a poster as well to bring home so it was a really fun night and I was really happy that they did it that way.

"The main thing about Cal was honestly the culture and the environment. What's very fortunate as well is the close location so we were able to go down there pretty often and be with the coaches. And like that gave us a lot of confidence in the decision, especially with my parents. One of the best things was that we didn't have to ask them a lot of the questions that we had because they would just answer them through regular conversations, which gave us a lot of security, as well as just the vibe, honestly. I mean, Coach Charmin (Smith) and Coach Eliza (Pierre), Coach Heidi (Heintz), they were a really good introduction to what it would be like to play at Cal. 

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"It's very obvious that they care about their players and that's something that's really important to me is that family aspect, that good environment. I'm playing for a coach that I know has my back so that I can have their back so that's really important to me. So for them to like kind of already have that even without us having to ask any questions and stuff and like all the like benefits that they have and how they really care about their players. They see their players as people, not just players. That was the main thing that really drove me there. And then of course, education, that was first. Education first then basketball, right? That was really important to us in the fourth grade. 

"Berkeley is such an elite institution, it's the number one in so many things so that was a no brainer, but having that community aspect already, like I grew up here. I've always been in Antioch my entire life and so being able to still be here and like it's crazy how many people who already are like, 'I can't wait to come to your game, Gabby,' and it's so so easy, because it's right down the street."

The Kidd connection is one that’s paid big dividends this year as the opportunity to play for their namesake’s alma mater and get a world-class education at the same time is appealing to the three newest Bears.

"With Jason being an alum, it's cool that our girls see the importance of getting a Cal education,” Jason Kidd Select coach and director Armando Pazos. “They really bought into Charmin and we think she's done really good work. He's done a really good job putting together the team for this year through the portal and a couple of the freshmen she has, but our girls really like Charmin a lot. They think that she's straight to the point. That she can help develop them. I mean, we're getting 30% of our graduating class, actually, no, because you're that two freshmen. So really, it's like, shoot almost like 40% of our graduating class is going to Cal and two of them were starters on our team that won the national championship for Select 40 with Kamryn and Lola. We came out ranked as the number two team in the country. 

"Gaby easily could have been a starter but with her coming off the bench, still learning the game a little bit, she was very vital in our run this summer.

"She's 6'3, getting close to 6'4. She's probably the most athletic kid with that size that I've seen in a long time. Very good instincts on blocking shots. As a really good second jump, which is impressive considering her size. She has great instincts on defense. And her offensive game has been coming along during the summer where she was posting up and backing people down, shooting a jump hook and not only shooting them but making them and I'm like, 'Okay, there's something here.' With with her going to Charmin, she's that one that can come in because she has the body and start. She can take that beating down in the post and it won't bother her halfway through the season where some girls might break down."

Related: 

2024 Guard Lola Donez Talks About Her Commitment to Cal