Marcos Gonzales is still 6-foot-3, but he’s not the same person or player he was before leaving Brother Rice last year.
“I’ve definitely grown in many ways on and off the court, for sure,” said Gonzales, the 2025 Southwest Regional Boys Basketball Player of the Year who recently wrapped up his freshman season at The Citadel. “I’ve learned to rely on others when you need to rely on them and not trying to do everything yourself.
“I’ve always on and off the court talked about my problems with my teammates and people I trust. On the court, I definitely rely on them because they’re going to rely on you in the end, too. It’s about building that trust with new faces and new people that I’ve met here. It’s been great so far.”
Gonzales appeared in 29 games this season for the Bulldogs, who were 11-22 overall and 7-11 in the Southern Conference. He averaged 4.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.6 steals per game.
In the classroom, Gonzales is maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average.
What has changed for Gonzales?
“Obviously, I’ve been adding strength to my frame and just adjusting to the game,” he said. “That’s definitely taken a step forward and then just seeing the game live really.
“The speed is a lot different, so I’ve had to adjust to that and still play the way I play with those adjustments.”
One of the highlights this season for Gonzales and his teammates came on Jan. 21 as the Citadel erased a 19-point deficit in a 77-75 victory over Furman in overtime. Gonzales finished with nine points and tied for the team lead in assists with five in 29 minutes of action.
“Furman had a great team this year and they made the (NCAA) Tournament,” Gonzales said. “… That was probably one of my better games of the year. Looking back at the atmosphere and everything that went into that game, that was definitely a highlight of the year for sure.”
Now it’s time for reflection on his college debut.
“It’s been good,” Gonzales said. “I’m definitely up and down for sure, but that’s anywhere you go in life. There are going to be ups and downs. It’s how you respond to it. …
“I’ve learned that it’s a marathon. Everything’s not going to go your way right there and then when you want it. You have to think long-term and you have to think (about) the future. And you have to work your tail off to get to where you want to. … I’m just going to keep my head down and keep rolling.”