Arrived in Miami in January 2020 through a “two-way contract”, Gabe Vincent has since continued to progress within the franchise of Pat Riley, renowned for its internal development work. For his third season in Florida, the “combo-guard” has thus settled for good in Erik Spoelstra’s rotation.
With averages of 8.9 points and 3.2 assists in 23 minutes this season, he brings real added value to the Heat. Like other undrafted players before him, who found their place in Florida.
Current club leader, authoritarian leader of the Eastern Conference, the 25-year-old is having a blast. In the absence of Kyle Lowry, who has missed the last six games for personal reasons, the Californian by birth has joined the five majors and he shines there: 13.6 points and 5 assists in six games, and five victories for the Heat.
Last night, during his team’s success against the Clippers, Gabe Vincent had his best game as a starter: 23 points at 8/15 on shots, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. With in particular a huge blow of heat in the third quarter, during which he scored six award-winning shots.
A back turned leader in Miami
Rear by nature, Gabe Vincent made a gradual change towards the lead in Miami, for the good of the collective.
« He came to us as a second back, in a trigger role » remembered his coach. « He’s a player who can get hot and didn’t have to worry about creating play for others. I had no idea how defensive he was in college, his scouting report didn’t suggest he was that kind of player. But Eric Glass (assistant coach for player development) told us he had potential as a physical and tough defender. »
“Spo” remembers that it was the episode of the health “bubble” in Orlando, in the summer of 2020, which really shaped the player’s change of position.
« Later in the year we went to the bubble. We said to ourselves: ‘In relation to the needs of our squad, let’s see if we can develop him into a point guard rather than a second back, let’s take advantage of his talents as a defender and see if he can become a creator’. He was open to the idea, but it was quite unnatural for him. »
« It means a lot to me »appreciated the player earlier in the week. « As soon as an opportunity presents itself to you in this league, you must do everything to seize it. Especially in a good team. […] Whenever an opportunity arises, I just want to take it and help my team win, in any way. »
| Gabe Vincent | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Tirs | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Until | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | MY | 9 | 9 | 21.6 | 22.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 2.4 |
| 2020-21 | MY | 50 | 13 | 37.8 | 30.9 | 87.0 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 4.8 |
| 2021-22 | MY | 39 | 23 | 43.2 | 38.1 | 78.9 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 3.2 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 9.0 |
| Total | 98 | 17 | 39.5 | 33.8 | 82.0 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 6.3 | |