Gabe Norwood

Personal

Gabe is the brother of Denver Bronco's wide receiver Jordan Norwood. He has two other brothers: Levi and Zach, and one sister. His father is Brian Norwood, current associate head coach working with the safeties at Baylor University. Brian Norwood formerly worked for seven seasons at Penn State University.

Gabe married girlfriend Leia in a ceremony in 2013. They have three sons, Cassius, Orion, and Idris.

Collegiate career

Norwood is part of the 2005–06 George Mason Patriots men's basketball team. He played 35 games averaging 3.5 points per game, 2.1 rebounds per game, 2.0 assists per game, 1.0 steals per game, 42.5 FG%, 58.8FT% in 21.1 mins/game.

Norwood spent his life in many different parts of the United States while his father, Brian Norwood, now defensive coordinator at Baylor University, coached different collegiate football teams. In high school, he and his brother (Jordan Norwood, a former football player at Penn State where his father coached until 2007) were part of the state championship team at State College Area High School in State College, Pennsylvania.

Professional career

Norwood was the first overall pick in the 2008 PBA Draft by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. During the 2009 PBA All-Star Week, Norwood won in the Slam Dunk Contest among locals. He failed to beat the 2006 NCAA Slam Dunk Champion and Barangay Ginebra Kings import, David Noel, who won the same contest but among the imports.

He won the 2008–09 PBA Rookie of the Year for his promising performance inside the court. He was also named into the Second Mythical Team in the same awards night. In the 2010 All-Star Game in Puerto Princesa, Norwood won the Handy Fix All-Star Game MVP for his highlight dunks and moves and also because of his baskets in the critical moments of the game. He had 17 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and a block. He led the North All-Stars to a 133–130 win over the South All-Stars.

Later on Rain Or Shine after getting eliminated against the Alaska Aces in game 6 of the Philippine Cup semis, Gabe gave his pair of shoes (Kobe 9) to a lucky fan of his. He also signed the fan's jersey.

Once again Rain Or Shine made another finals stint in the 2015 Commissioner's Cup going up against Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters but they failed to secure the championship on their belt after a competitive second overtime in Game 7. It was the 2nd time Rain Or Shine got the runner-up award after being tortured by the two local gunners for the TNT namely Jayson Castro who was recently named the Best Player of the Conference and Ranidel de Ocampo who was named the finals MVP.

On October 14, 2016, he was recognized during the PBA Leo Awards Night as he was named to the PBA All-Defensive Team.

International career

Norwood, a 6'5" guard-forward, was a member of the national basketball team of the Philippines that represented the country in the 2007 William Jones Cup, and in the FIBA Asia Championship 2007.

In 2008, Norwood was again named to the Philippine Training Pool headed by Coach Yeng Guiao for future international competitions. The 2009 Philippines Men's National Basketball Team saw action and finished 8th overall in the 2009 FIBA Asia Championship held in Tianjin, China on August 6–16, 2009.

Norwood once again joined the national team, this time under the 2nd incarnation of the Smart-Gilas program. His athleticism and versatility on both sides of the floor was a great asset in the team's run to a silver medal finish in the FIBA Asia Men's Championship, hosted in the Philippines.

Norwood rejoined the national team for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain. He was also included in the final 12 during the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship wherein they took the second place after losing to China in the finals game. He also took part in the Olympics Qualifying Tournament, losing both games to France and New Zealand in the preliminary round and failing to advance in the knockout-round.

PBA career statistics

Correct as of September 16, 2016

Physical statistics