“Tony Gipson is as athletic a guy as I have ever coached.”
The words of LSU basketball coach John Brady and a rather large compliment were bestowed upon the LSU guard.
After all, Brady has coached basketball for 27 years at places like Samford, Mississippi State and LSU and has coached players such as Ronald Dupree and Stromile Swift, both former LSU standouts, who were known for their explosion and athleticism.
But still, Brady puts Gipson right at the top of the list with anyone he has ever coached.
“He’s super quick and jumps extremely well for his size,” Brady said of the 6-foot-1, 160-pound Gipson. “And he has improved his strength by lifting all summer.”
However, Gipson was not able to show off his talents to the Southeastern Conference last year in his first season at LSU. The junior college transfer struggled with school and was ruled academically ineligible just 11 games in to the season. He had just played his best game against Centenary before having to leave the team. He was 5-for-8 from the field in that game, including 4-of-4 from behind the 3-point line, and scored 14 points to go along with three rebounds.
“It kind of hurt me and it was kind of embarrassing,” Gipson said of not being able to play. “Because I had never been put in a position like that. And I feel like I let my team down, because I’m not going to say they needed me bad, but they probably could have used me.”
Gipson said he did not know what was expected out of him when he came to college, but his counselor gave him the news.
“At first, I didn’t really know anything about how it worked,” Gipson said of remaining eligible. “Until the last three weeks of school [in the fall of 2002], my counselor told me I had to get a certain GPA to be eligible for the second half [of the season] and I didn’t know that. Coach just told me he was going to play me as much as he could until I had to sit out.”
Gipson said sitting out of basketball was a hard reality, but it alerted him that college was going to include much more than just playing basketball.
“It gave me a wake up call,” Gipson said. “I don’t want to be in that position anymore, because like I said, it was embarrassing. I didn’t really want anybody to see me on campus. I would try to duck off.”
Gipson was unable to practice or be involved with anything related to LSU basketball, so he had to be motivated and keep himself in shape.
“I worked out on my own,” Gipson said. “I didn’t really run. I kind of went in the weight room and kept working out and came and watched these guys practice to stay up with the team and basically just tried to stay in the books.”
Gipson did earn his way back on the team and made the grades necessary to play an NCAA sport.
Brady said because of his amazing athleticism, Gipson has a chance to contribute some serious minutes this year.
“The thing he needs to do is just play a little more disciplined,” Brady said. “And if he can play extended stretches where he doesn’t turn the ball over carelessly or needlessly and be a more intelligent defender, he’s got a chance to play some quality minutes.
“And that’s what I talk to him about every day is try to go through a practice taking good shots and not turning it over. If he can do that then he’s got a chance to play because of his athleticism. It’s as good as anybody’s on the team or maybe better.”
Gipson said he just wants to help his team win and reach its goals.
“I just want to work hard, get better as a player and help my team out as much as I can,” Gipson said. “I’m prepared, because I was working out while they were playing, and I’ve gotten stronger and more physical and more aggressive.”