By Bill Martin
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William & Mary recently received a commitment from Kyle Gaillard out of North Mecklenburg High School in Huntersville, North Carolina.  CAA Insider caught up with Kyle for a Q & A session.

CAA Insider: Congratulations on your commitment to William & Mary.

Kyle Gaillard: Thank you. I'm really excited to be a part of the Tribe!

CAA Insider: How did Coach Shaver make William & Mary seem like the right place for you to continue your basketball career?

Kyle Gaillard: He really stressed that their style of play is a perfect fit for me. Also, he has a great plan for me to become the best basketball player I can be, which is very important to me.

CAA Insider: You committed soon after your visit to William & Mary. What was it about your visit that really made William & Mary seem like the right place for you?

Kyle Gaillard: I felt like I fit in extremely well with both the players and the coaches. I was comfortable around everyone I met and it just clicked. On my visit, I could really see myself going to school there and fell in love with it.

CAA Insider: What did you do on this visit?

Kyle Gaillard: I got to eat really well! We also had an intense game of mini golf, which the players dominated the coaches in by the way! I got to spend a lot of quality time with the players especially at a cookout at Coach Shaver's house. Mrs. Shaver is a great cook! I played some pick up with the guys and got to go to a home football game where W&M beat VMI. All in all, it was a great visit!

CAA Insider: What were some other factors in your decision to play for William & Mary?

Kyle Gaillard: Academics was just about as important to me as the basketball side of it. I really wanted to go to a school with good academics because the ball doesn’t bounce forever, even though I'd like it to! I feel like W&M is not too far from home but not too close at the same time. Their style play fits me very well and the players are a great bunch of guys, as well as the coaches.

CAA Insider: What other schools were recruiting you?

Kyle Gaillard: Davidson, Michigan, Penn State, American, Bucknell, Winthrop, and Delaware.

CAA Insider: Which of these schools did you have offers from?

Kyle Gaillard: Davidson offered me a scholarship but wanted me to redshirt my first year and I was never really comfortable with the idea. Michigan wanted me to come on an official and they were going to offer when I got up there. Penn State, American, Bucknell, Delaware, and Winthrop had also offered.

CAA Insider: When did the William & Mary coaching staff first see you play and when did they really start recruiting you hard?

Kyle Gaillard: Last season they came to a couple of my high school games and they really started to recruit me hard this summer after seeing me at a couple events.

CAA Insider: What role do you see yourself playing in your first year at William & Mary?

Kyle Gaillard: I plan to work hard and contribute as much as I am able to. They say adjusting to the speed of the game is difficult but I really hope to start my career off well and improve as much as I can.

CAA Insider: What are the strengths of your game?

Kyle Gaillard: My versatility as well as my shooting ability. My length really helps me on the boards and on defense.

CAA Insider: What areas of your game do you need to work on the most?

Kyle Gaillard: Getting stronger and developing my right hand a little more. Becoming quicker will help me defend smaller guards on the perimeter.

CAA Insider: What NBA player, past or present, does your game most resemble?

Kyle Gaillard: Well I'd like to say Michael Jordan, but then I would just be lying to myself, and you! Probably Ray Allen.

CAA Insider: Who has had the greatest influence on your basketball career?

Kyle Gaillard: My father, who coached me for many years and continues to rebound for me even at 11pm! Also, my high school coach, Coach Lewis, who has taught me many things on and off the court.

CAA Insider: Who is best player you’ve had to guard?

Kyle Gaillard: Rudy Gay. I had to guard him in a 3 on 3 game at Chris Paul's camp this summer. It was me and two other campers versus him, Chris Paul, and Jarrett Jack. It wasn't pretty!

CAA Insider: How did you do with that match up?

Kyle Gaillard: I actually did pretty well. He only scored once! Probably because the camper guarding Chris Paul was talking smack so Chris scored on him about just every time.

CAA Insider: Do you know what you are going to major in at William & Mary?

Kyle Gaillard: I plan on majoring in Business but who knows if that will still be the case in two years.

CAA Insider: Thank you for your time, and good luck next season.

Kyle Gaillard: Anytime. Thank you, I appreciate it. Go Tribe!