That would describe Gal Raviv. The Israel native already had an impressive resume before landing in Hamden, such as playing for the under-18 national team and winning awards in an under-16 league in Europe before she even turned 15. While what she’s done with the Bobcats in her first year may not top all that, she'll definitely need to expand her trophy case.
“I’m just grateful to be a part of the team,” Raviv said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to play with them.”
Raviv was named both Player of the Year as well as Rookie of the Year in the MAAC in addition to being a first-team all conference selection. In so many games this season for head coach Tricia Fabbri and the Bobcats, she has taken over the game in all facets, notably with her scoring and playmaking. That was on display during Quinnipiac’s 79-51 quarterfinal win over Iona on Thursday.
“She’s a fierce competitor, a wonderful teammate that’s so smart with the ball in her hands,” Fabbri said. “She makes us go and you’re seeing the result of that.”
Averaging 18 points and 4.7 assists per game on the year coming in, Raviv upped that Thursday, scoring 23 points and passing out seven dimes in the win over the Gaels. After a slow start in the first quarter, she scored 12 points in the second to expand the Bobcat lead into double digits, and it was smooth sailing there for the No. 2 seed.
“I had to warm up a little bit and read what they’re doing on defense,” Raviv said on her slow first quarter start.
What makes Raviv so special is how beloved she is by her teammates. The saying going around the Quinnipiac locker room is that “Gal is doing Gal things” while on the floor. For someone who was playing overseas all summer and didn’t get to campus until right around when the fall semester started, it hasn’t taken long for her to get accustomed to her new family.
“Gal was playing international, so she wasn’t even here during the summer to acclimate,” Fabbri said. “She hit the ground running. To have her impact in a first year is pretty impressive and one you kind of take for granted knowing she’s 30 games into her college career.”
Having all that international experience under her belt, it's safe to say Raviv isn’t your traditional freshman. She shows it on the court with keen decision making and confidence to make every shot she attempts. On Wednesday, she shot an efficient 11-of-16 and scored her points at multiple different levels. She was able to get inside for some tough finishes, as well as dominate in the mid-range.
No other player in the history of the MAAC can say they’ve accomplished winning both Player and Rookie of the Year, but when you ask Raviv about it, she only has one response.
“Honestly, it’s a great accomplishment, but right now, I’m just trying to focus on this tournament and winning,” she said.
The team got a boost from Karson Martin (11 points and seven rebounds) and Ella O’Donnell (12 points, 5-for-5 field goals) as well to supplement Raviv. That’s not to mention the other two all-MAAC selections in Anna Foley and Jackie Grisdale, who had relatively quiet nights. With those two combining for just 14 points and the Bobcats still winning by 25, it shows how deep the team is.
“When you’re getting that kind of production from these young ladies, it’s going to be tough to beat,” Fabbri said. “We’re playing a stretch of incredible basketball, which is what you want to be playing now, February into March, on both sides of the ball.”
Quinnipiac will continue its run towards a MAAC championship on Friday when it takes on the winner of Siena and Merrimack on Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. inside Boardwalk Hall.
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