Gabriel Szlay is an athletic paint player who displays great speed and mobility, nice coordination and very good leaping ability. He's gifted with very long arms and decent strength despite his skinny appearance. On the offensive end, he takes advantage of his superior speed to beat the defense by running the break or using screens to get an open position.
He plays quite well without the ball, particularly in pick and roll situations. He's a pretty explosive finisher: he can receive the ball and dunk it in a second. On defense, he can be a good intimidator. Using his long arms and leaping ability with perfect timing, he gets a good amount of blocks on a regular basis. He has the physical tools, such as wingspan or quickness, and shows the right attitude to become a reliable defender. He's also a nice rebounder, getting many defensive boards thanks to his athleticism.
Career
2003-2004: BK ASK Inter Slovnaft Bratislava (D1): 12 games: 2.8ppg, 1.8rpg
2004: Euro Big Man Camp in Treviso (Italy)
2004-2005: joined Benetton Treviso (Italy-Lega A) in fall of 2004 to practice with the senior and junior team, then was signed in Jan.'05: Euroleague: 1 game: 0pts
2005 June: Reebok Big Man Camp in Treviso (Italy)
2005-2006: In Jan.'06 signed at Adecco ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne U20 team: ULEB Cup: 1 game: 0pts
2006: And1 Summer League in Jesolo (Venice) (Italy)
2006-2007: Norrkoping Dolphins (Sweden-Basketligan): EuroCup Challenge: 6 games: 9.2ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.3apg, 1.5bpg, 2FGP: 58.1%, FT: 41.7%; Swedish Basketligan: 20 games: 8.0ppg, 5.2rpg, 2FGP: 53.0%, FT: 39.3%
2007: Reebok Camp in Treviso, Italy
2007 June-July: ULEB Summer League in Jesolo, Italy (Union Olimpija Ljubljana)
2007-2008: Viking Gdynia (Poland-DBE), team folded in Oct.'07, later that month moved to SKK Kotwica Kolobrzeg (Poland-DBE): 21 games: 3.3ppg, 1.5rpg
2008: Treviso Summer League (Alibert Team)
2008-2009: HBK Prievidza (Extraliga): 30 games: 13.5ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.0apg, Blocks-1(1.5bpg), 2FGP: 53%, 3PT: 0%, FT: 68.3%
2009-2010: HBK Prievidza (Extraliga, starting five): 37 games: 12.4ppg, Reb-4(7.6rpg), 1.2apg, FGP: 56.7%, 3PT: 14.3%, FT: 60.0%
Awards / Achievements
Slovakian Junior Championships Final Four -04
Slovak Rep. U20 National Team -05
European Championships U20 Div.B in Varna -05: 8 games: 8.4ppg, 9.1rpg, 1.6bpg, FGP: 41.5%, FT: 56.5%
ULEB Cup Quarterfinals -06
Slovak Rep. National Team -07-08
Slovakian League Semifinals -09
Slovakian League All-Star Game -09, 10
Slovakian National Team -09-10
European Championships Division B -09: 3 games: 6.0ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.3apg, 1.7bpg, FGP: 41.2%, FT: 50.0%
Eurobasket.com All-Slovakian League 2nd Team -10
Eurobasket.com Slovakian League All-Domestic Players Team -10
Player available through partner
