After spending hours each day and a lifetime on the court, senior guard Gabe Kindred still has an immense passion for the game of basketball.

Growing up in Oakland, Kindred while enjoying other sports, has always played basketball and wanted to play for a Division I college.

While attending Fremont High School, Kindred felt he was not getting the attention he wanted. With the desire to achieve his goal of playing for a Division I college, he decided to transfer to Worcester Academy in Worcester, Mass. at the age of 17.

Now competing at a school that boasts six NBA players and two current NBA coaches as alumni, he knew he would get the visibility he so desired.

During his senior season, Kindred was voted Team MVP, an award previously won by current NBA player Jarrett Jack, and an honor that has meant more than all the other accolades he has received.

“That was really big for me,” said Kindred, “making that transition from California to Massachusetts. I had moved all the way across the country, I had never been in the snow and to come back for my senior year and have the senior year that I did, was a big accomplishment.”

After graduating from Worcester Academy, Kindred attended Division I Loyola University in Chicago.

“Going there and playing basketball was an amazing experience,” said Kindred. “The city has such a rich basketball history and it was a whole different culture. It’s one of the best places I’ve ever lived.”

After accomplishing his goal of playing Division I basketball, a coaching change at the university had Kindred playing at Salt Lake City Community College in Utah. It was at that point when Kindred faced the hardest part of his basketball career.

“If my basketball career has a low point it was playing at Salt Lake City Community College,” said Kindred. “It was in the middle of a suburb. I was in a small apartment with three teammates. I didn’t really have a connection with any of the coaches of the team. It was cold and you are eating Wendy’s and KFC everyday—it’s not a situation that I thought it was going to be.”

While many others would have given up, Kindred relied on the people who molded him into the basketball player and person he is today. Despite the unfortunate situation he faced in Salt Lake City, Kindred always looked forward and stayed positive.

“I just knew that trying to get to the next step I was going to get some bumps and bruises along the way and that was just another part of my journey,” said Kindred. “Eventually things are going to turn around; I just have to do my best to stay positive and really work through it. That got me through that.”

When it came time to move back to the Bay Area Kindred said California State University, East Bay it was an easy choice.

“I had been gone for a long time. I missed my family and I was ready to come home,” Kindred said. “I like East Bay because it’s close to home. Close to my grandmother so I can go visit my mom and they can all come out and watch me play.”

Now back in the East Bay where he grew up, Kindred is in his senior season and is leading his team in scoring. He said he has one goal for his final season as a Pioneer.

“I really want to help this team get to the conference tournament. It is something I owe to the seniors who have been here for years fighting to get to the goal, Kindred said.” It’s the one thing I really want to do. Our coaching staff has put in the work day in and day out and we want to get to the tournament and win.”

Kindred, a business administration major, cannot see ever being away from basketball and wants to continue playing any way he can and eventually move on to the coaching side of the game.

After playing his whole life, he wants to give back all the things he has learned about the game of basketball. He is fascinated with the maturation process a player goes through and how one can improve from mediocrity to an All-American.