Gary McQuay
High School Gary West Side, IN
Height and Weight 6'8 200lbs
Position Center/Power Forward
Ratings #50 (RR), TOP 150 (G), #274 (PS)
Academically Eligible Yes
Status Signed
Player Summary ·
Player News ·
Game Stats ·
Season Stats ·
Honors ·
IHSAA Results
Gary McQuay is one of two senior McQuay brothers at Gary West Side,
but the only one that will attend Purdue in 1996. Gary is a left-handed
post player who plays a mixture of center and power forward in high school.
A good scorer and rebounder, Gary runs the floor well and excels as a
mismatch at the small forward. Gary has a 41-inch vertical leap and likes
to play on the perimeter and take defenders off the dribble. Although Gary
is a good shot blocker, his weakness would have to be inexperience at
defending higher caliber opponents. Hoop Scoop magazine lists him as a
"project", and says he could be a Top 100 player by years end.
McQuay chose Purdue over Western Michigan, Central Florida, Ohio
State, Northern Illinois, Bradley and Valparaiso.
Gary was named to the all area team by the Times of Lake County
The comments said he needs to get heavier and a little more aggressive, but
did list him as an all state candidate. Hoosier Basketball Handbook also
has him on the all-state first team.
Keady on McQuay: "He reminds me alot of James Bullock (82-85). He
is a good kid...a nice young man. He's a good rebounder who should be a
mainstay in our program. He comes from a very competitive area so we think
he will be a good power forward for us. We're fortunate to get kids from
this state like Mosi Barnes and Gary McQuay because both of them have role
playing abilities we need."
Kendrick on McQuay: "He is extremely athletic and can run the floor.
We think he'll be a great defender, scorer, shot blocker and rebounder. I
think he's going to be a big-time sleeper."
6-22-96...Gary McQuay established himself in the paint early
against the Kentucky All-Stars and kept the defensive pressure on
throughout the game. The Kentucky All-Stars boasted three players
6'9, but were never able to dominate the undersized Indiana team as
earlier predicted. "Greg and I play against 6'9 and 6'10 kids all
all the time and it doesn't intimidate us," said Gary. "Me and my
brother have the confidence to go up and get shots even if the guy
is 7-feet tall. And unless they've got hops like us ... and there
aren't many." Coach Broughton pointed out the control of the
McQuays by saying that all of the blocked shots stayed in play.
Once Gary gets hot, he is a blocking monster. He had two
consecutive blocks in the second half, and even went out to the
three point line to swat one away. Although he fouled the shooter
on the play, announcer Vince Welch commented, "I think he took off
in the paint to get that one." Gary's play-of-the-game came in the
final minutes with a two-handed jam over a 6'9 defender. Gary
couldn't help talking a little during the play. "I told him not to
go up there," laughed McQuay of his talk. "I told him I was on the
fifth floor and he's on the third." Gary also finished with a team
high 10 rebounds (see stats below).
6-22-96...Gary suffered a bruised knee during camp for the Indiana
All-Stars last Sunday. It was still sore on Thursday, so it was X-rayed on
Friday morning. All tests were negative and Gary should play in today's
game in Lexington Kentucky.
6-20-96...Click here for an interesting story about the McQuay
brothers from the Indianapolis Star.
6-15-96...Playing in an all-star matchup against the state of
Illinois incoming recruits, Gary found out that Ronnie Fields can jump,
but can't jump high enough to shoot over a McQuay. Blocking 2 of
Fields' (the Illinois team MVP) shots, Gary had some advice for the
Illinois Mr. Basketball. "I'll give the guy his respect but he's not all
he's cracked up to be," said the younger McQuay. "He's a great player
and an exceptional leaper. I don't think anybody can guard him off the
dribble, but he needs to get a jumper. If he gets the jumper down,
he'll be deadly." With the hot shooting of Fields combined with the
lack of an inside game for the Indiana Stars for the first ten minutes
of the game, Illinois prevailed 132-117. The McQuays arrived just ten
minutes before gametime and didn't play until half way into the first
half. "I think if my brother and I had played the first ten minutes,
it wouldn't have gotten so far out of hand early," commented Gary's
brother Greg. "It was our own fault we didn't play early. We got
confused about the arrival time." Gary quickly quipped, "No, really,
the main reason we were late was because we wanted to make a grand
entrance." The brothers McQuay combined for 42 points and four
rejections of a Ronnie Fields shot (see stats below).
4-14-96...As expected by some who foresaw the lack of talented
senior power forwards this year, both Gary and Greg McQuay were picked
to play on the Indiana All-Star team, who will face the Kentucky All-
Stars early this summer. Many of the players are talented at a couple
of positions, and should help file a variety of roles for the team.
"That was one of the things we (the coaches) looked at with this
group," Broughton said. "We wanted players who can play more than one
position." Both McQuays will see a majority of playing time at power
forward. The fact that the McQuays are also the tallest members of the
squad and have extensive experience in the paint will also mean they
will mix in at center along with 6-7 Chris Hahn (Alexandria) and 6-6
Ben Anderson (Benton Central).
The 13 member squad will play June 22 in Lexington, Kentucky,
and June 29 at Market Square Arena. The McQuays will be joined on
the team by fellow Purdue recruit Jaraan Cornell.
4-8-96...Both McQuays played well at the Top40 Workout. To one
onlooker their individual skills were similar, but most observers noticed
their intensity. "The McQuays - right to the point - are fantastic,"
commented Jasper coach Ken Schultheis. "They're finishers, I mean
finishers. They get it to the post, it's over."
3-11-96...After upsetting #5 Andrean, Gary West was defeated in the
Gary sectional title game by Gary Wallace 79-71. After a slow start to the
season, coach Ivory Brown has seen great improvements from Gary. "In the
very beginning of the year, I was worried about his progress," Brown
said. "But after he signed with Purdue, I saw a different Gary. I saw a
more mature person -- on the floor and off. He listened a lot more, and
he stepped his game up. His scoring and rebounding production went up. I
think Purdue really has a good recruit in Gary."
Although Gary is averaging 15 ppg, Brown believes Purdue will
benefit more from McQuay's defensive skills. "He'll add some spice to
their defense," commented Brown. "He might start slowly as far as scoring
is concerned, but he will help them in that regard. He has very good
speed, and he's definitely going to help them with rebounding."
02-27-96...Gary West Side blew Andrean out in the fourth quarter to
win the first round sectional game by the score of 86-73.
Andrean had beaten West Side a few weeks ago, but played this game
without 6'3" forward Reynaud Jones (Northern Illinois recruit) who was their
second leading scorer for the season and a strong defender. Andrean's point
guard Carson Cunningham (Oregon State recruit) had 35 points. He hit a raft
of three pointers, even with defenders in his face, but ran out of gas in
the fourth quarter.
Gary McQuay looks marginally taller than Greg McQuay. Both look to be
around 6'7" judging by the other players. Gary has a slender build and
needs to add some muscle. He's built along the lines of Walter Jordan. He's
quick for his size and has a good outside shooting touch. He scored 21
points and had 11 rebounds to lead West Side team in both categories. He
hit several jumpers from around the key, and also hit a three pointer from
the corner. He was 6 of 7 from the free throw line. Gary was introduced as
Purdue-bound Gary McQuay. Gary played the high post, and fed three assists
to Greg in the low post for easy baskets.
Most interesting play was when one of the Andrean players tried to lay
the ball in, and the two McQuays blocked the shot simultaneously as if they
were one player. Greg was on top of the Andrean player and roofed him.
Gary swooped in and went over Greg to assist in the block from behind and
above Greg.
Gary seems to be a cooler headed player on the floor, while Greg seems
a little more emotional. Greg also seems to be more of a reactive player
than Gary. Both get down the floor pretty well. Gary is more finesse,
while Greg is more power. Gary looks like the better player of the two.
(Game summary supplied by two region based Purdue followers...thanks guys!)
10-16-95...Gary McQuay attended Midnight Magic and was impressed with
the atmosphere presented Saturday night in Mackey. "I knew it was going
to be crowded, but it was packed," McQuay said. "I think that shows a lot of
support from the fans and from the area, and I like that a lot."
An article in a Gary newspaper said Gary wanted to participate in
the slam dunk competition at Midnight Magic, but the Purdue players wouldn't
let him. He said that they were afraid he'd win and embarrass the team.
It also stated that Gary's brother Greg is 15 months older than Gary.
McQuay is confident that Davis and Stephens will attend Purdue. He
also says Purdue may have the inside track on Vincent Hart, a gifted 6-8
freshman center at Gary West (see Hart below).
9-20-95...Gary McQuay admitted that it was Glenn Robinson that
most affected his decision to attend Purdue. "Kids on the playground used
to ask me, 'Are you Glenn Robinson's cousin?" McQuay commented. "I told a
little white lie once, saying that I was. And so they started asking me for
autographs. It's kind of weird. I was used to be just a little kid in the
stands cheering for him, and now I am sort of following in his footsteps."
Although McQuay freely admits that Robinson played a big part in his
choosing Purdue, it was his parents that played a role in WHEN he would chose.
The stress of the phone calls and home visits were getting to the entire
family. His dad had gotten a little sick of entertaining visitors. So when
he finally said he was going to Purdue, he received many smiles of relief.
"I feel real good about his decision," West Side Coach Brown said. "He's
probably my first Big Ten player. And Purdue's ideal for him because he always
liked Boilermaker basketball...especially when Glenn Robinson played."
Not only does Gary feel he can make it in on the court in the Big Ten,
but also in the classroom. "I hit the books pretty hard, but I'm not a
glasses-wearing nerd," McQuay joked. Gary's brother Greg is rumored to be
a possible prop 48 casualty, which might have factored into Purdue's choice
in not recruiting him also.
Gary said that Ohio State was actively recruiting both he and his
brother. He had narrowed his choices to Ohio State, Western Michigan,
Central Florida, and Valparaiso before choosing Purdue.
9-19-95...The Purdue basketball coaching staff has received a verbal
committment from the 6'8 forward from Gary West High School. Gary made his
decision Monday night after a lengthy discussion eith his parents and his
brother, Greg, who was also hoping to play for the Boilers but wasn't
offered a scholarship.
"We wanted to go together, but Greg said, 'Don't make a decision
based on what I want to do. Don't change your mind just because I probably
won't be able to go,' " Gary McQuay said late Monday night. "I had a chance to
talk with many (colleges), and they also had very good programs, but Purdue
stood out. I like the program, and I like Coach Keady. They've won the Big
Ten two years in a row. I kind of held back on my decision, but I talked to my
parents and they said to go with my best decision," Gary McQuay said. "They
said that if I felt that it was the right one, I should go ahead and make it.
There was no need to put it off."
Gary likes the chances of Purdue gaining some national attention as
a result of its successful recruiting. "I knew the supporting cast that I
I would have, and I think it's important to have a good supporting cast,"
McQuay said. "I know most of the players that are there now, and I've had a
chance to play with Jaraan Cornell and Michael Robinson, who are excellent.
I think that if we all get together, we can really make a big impact and
hopefully win an NCAA championship."
8-30-95...McQuay stated that Purdue is the school for him, but
still has reservations. The major one being the fact that he and his
brother are a package deal. "I know Purdue is #1 on his list," said Gary
West coach Ike Brown, "but he is trying to see if his brother can go in
some kind of way. I've told him the circumstances and I know the Purdue
staff has told him the circumstances." Gary's brother Greg is said not
to be on Purdue's short list of potential recruits.
"I like the Purdue atmosphere and I'm a big Glenn Robinson fan,"
Gary said. "Ever since my brother and I were in seventh or eighth grade,
we've wanted to be Boilermakers. I like the progeam, and I like the
coaches. I also like the supporting cast," Gary commented on the Boiler
team. "It's one I can play with and that's a big factor. I definitely
want to win, and with the talent on that team, it can win and go
somewhere."
Gary averaged 12 points and seven rebounds last season when Gary
West finished 17-5. Coach Brown had nothing but praise for his young
player, "He can play power forward and post up, and his outside shot
is good. He's also a good penetrator with a mismatch at the small
forward, and he can run the floor real well." McQuay is also
being recruited by Ohio State, Northern Illinois, Bradley and Valparaiso.
DATE MIN FG FGA FT FTA 3P 3PA RB A B S PTS
--------------------------------------------------
5-05-95 6 5 0 17 Won 80-71
5-06-95 2 2 0 6 Won 64-61
5-06-95 4 1 0 9 Won 75-68
2-01-96 8 11 Lost vs. Gary Wallace
2-27-96 7 6 7 1 11 21 Won 86- Andrean 73
3-01-96 21 Won 74- Gary Wirt 68
6-12-96 5 6 0 0 3 3 9 2 0 0 13 Won 103- Spiece 62
6-15-96 5 1 13 Lost 117- Illinois 132
6-19-96 2 4 0 0 0 0 7 4 Won 101- Junior AS 69
6-22-96 3 5 5 7 0 1 10 1 0 5 11 Won 98- Kentucky AS 87
6-26-96 3 4 6 6 Won 110- Junior AS 82
6-29-96 2 6 2 4 0 0 8 0 0 3 6 Lost 99- Kentucky AS 106
7-13-96 19 2 6 3 6 0 0 6 0 1 0 7 Lost 100- Michigan AS 107
7-14-96 17 2 7 2 2 0 0 6 0 2 0 6 Won 118- Kentucky AS 106
Season thru PPG FG% FT% 3P% RPG APG SPG BPG RECORD RANK
------------------------------------------------------------------
94-95 season 12.0 8.0 2.0 17-5
12-15-95 16.0 10.0 4.0 5-0 13th (IN)
01-06-96 12.0 8.0 3.6 3.6 5-1 14th (IN)
01-20-96 11.1 7.7 3.9 11-1 12th (IN)
02-01-96 11.1 7.7 13-2 11th (IN)
02-25-96 13.9 10.3 15-3 15th (IN)
95-96 season 13.9 12.5 4.0 17-4 13th (IN)
Awards and Honors
------------------
95-96 season Hoosier Basketball Top40 Senior Team
Associated Press All-State High Honorable Mention
Indiana All-Star Selection
Won vs. Andrean 86-73
Won vs. Gary Wirt 74-68
Lost vs. Gary Wallace 71-79
|