Greensburg Central Catholic’s Erica Gribble headed to Richmond

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, December 28, 2024 | 5:34 PM

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Erica Gribble thought about waiting until later, maybe next summer, to make her college decision.

Even her family thought she would wait.

But the junior basketball star from Greensburg Central Catholic was set on a school and went for it.

“Why wait?” the dynamic combo guard said Saturday after she announced a verbal commitment to Richmond.

Her X post came out about a day before GCC played Belle Vernon in the Cal U Hoopfest.

I am extremely thankful and excited to announce my commitment to the University of Richmond! Thank you to my family, friends, and coaches who have supported me throughout the recruiting process. Go Spiders! 🕷️ #OneRichmond @GCC_GBB @CometsBallers pic.twitter.com/uInR770rts

— Erica Gribble (@erica_gribble) December 28, 2024

Gribble said she also considered St. Joseph’s, Bowling Green and Lehigh among the nearly 20 scholarship offers that began to come in when she was an eighth grader.

Like her game to Richmond, the school fit her eye.

Gribble will suit up for the Spiders in the Atlantic 10.

“I chose Richmond for the academics, and I felt like I fit into their team culture and playing style,” Gribble said. “I really like the coaches and the atmosphere they brought to their winning program. The campus is very beautiful, and I was impressed with the school overall.”

Gribble, who has 1,220 career points and is averaging 22.5 points a game this year, will be the third Gribble sister to play in college, the second at the Division I level.

Her oldest sister, Alayna, played at Pitt and St. Joseph’s, and middle sister Olivia played at Marietta. Both were standouts at Norwin.

“Unlike with my sisters, the recruiting process has changed a lot,” Erica Gribble said. “And I felt like Richmond was a great fit.

“Now that I have committed, I have a weight lifted off my shoulders and I can just concentrate on my high school season.”

Her dream to play Division I basketball began when she saw her sister reach that level.

“Since the time Alayna was being recruited, I always wanted to follow in her footsteps,” she said. “I can still remember some of the visits I’ve been on with her.”

Gribble said she plans to major in business or pre-health with nursing school.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg C.C.