The Central Maine Community College athletic department and Head Men's Basketball Coach Dave Gonyea is pleased to announce it's signed its first 2019-20 recruit. 

Gabriel Fraley, originally from Ravenswood, West Virginia, and a 2019 graduate of Ramstein High School on an American base in Germany has committed to CM. 

Gabriel submitted the following:

Why did I choose CM?
I chose CM because of the confidence Coach Gonyea established in me from the beginning. He made me feel like I was already a part of the team after the first conversation and I felt that I could really learn a lot from him. I was never recruited by large schools but coach saw something in me and realized that I would work hard and to me that chance meant everything.

What do I like most about the campus?
What I like most about the campus is how close everything is to each other and just the overall convenience of everything be right there seems like it will help a lot. I haven't actually seen the campus with my own eyes yet but I know when I do I will be happy to see my new home.

How do you think playing college basketball will differ from your previous experience?
I believe that the skill won't be much of a change but more the play style of being back in the states. Getting use to European style of basketball can really effect a player's all-around game and I think it's going to be a real culture shock for me. I've played against the best talent in Europe from young national team players to semi pro basketball players so all the skill I've seen from Germany shouldn't be much of any difference from college. What I do know is the size difference will be a major key. Athletes from the states are cut from a different cloth and I know I will have to get use to the more aggressive play style that comes with that size.

What are you most looking forward to playing and attending CM?
I'm looking forward to the change of scenery and most of playing college basketball. It's every basketball players dream to play college basketball and I'm finally making mine a reality. Not only the sports but also advancing my studies in physical fitness is big part of it as well. I can't wait to have a fresh new start at a school I know I'm going to love.

What do you think you can bring to the team next year?
If I bring anything to the team next year, it will be 100% effort in everything I do for them. I'm a big critique on myself and always strive to do better not only for myself but for the people around. I also think as a freshman I can bring some leadership from the things I've experienced in Europe and show my teammates some things. The one thing I love more than anything is playing defense, and being able to get fired up on the defensive side making it easier for the offense to form. I think I can be a real spark on defense and hope to make an impact.

Describe your basketball experience?
My basketball experience has been enlarged mostly by the fact that I've lived in a lot of different places because of the military. My mother has been in the Air Force for 20 years and it has brought me through the states, japan, and Germany. I've picked up most of all my skill from playing in Germany and learning from pros especially my trainer who is a retired pro-European player. My love for the game rose in japan but my biggest experiences have defiantly been visiting dozens of countries in Europe and playing against the best.

What is your biggest strength in basketball?
My biggest strength in basketball would be my intensity and work ethic. I would not be able to score or play defense without work ethic. I want to get better and better every day and I make sure I do so by giving 100% effort all the time. To me the little things count to make a great basketball player and a teammate

According to Men's Coach Dave Gonyea, "Gabriel is the perfect personality we are looking for moving forward.  Someone who is hungry, appreciative, hardworking, and humble.  I liked him from our first contact and the more we spoke, I realized he would be a solid contributor on and off the court for us.  I am very excited he is going to be a Mustang."

Basketball achievements:
* 2 time Dodea European basketball champion

•  2017 and 2018 Ramstein JV MVP 2015
• Ramstein high school stats: 14 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg, 3 stls pg, 0.5 bpg, 1.2 turnovers pg
• German basketball men's team: 18.6 ppg
• Other stats and School achievements:  AFJROTC- 3 years-cadet of the month- FBLA president for Ramstein- 2 year member keystone- 1 year member