Coby Gibler, who holds the Bainbridge High School record for blocked shots with 125 during the 2006-2007 basketball season, is in his first year at Central Washington University.

Gibler, a 6-foot-9 junior, has appeared in all 24 games for the Wildcats. He spent two seasons at Highline Community College, where he averaged 14.1 points and 9.9 rebounds as a sophomore.

Q: What has the transition been like from Highline Community College to Central Washington?

A: It’s a pretty easy adjustment. They make you feel really welcome and it’s easy to get into it. They both were great schools and helped me get from one place to the next.

Q: How has Central Washington been different?

A: It’s really different from high school and even community college. You’ve got to get focused to play with all the traveling, and all the time spent on planes. You’ve got to be pretty tough mentally.

Q: Has playing college basketball been a longtime goal of yours?

A: I wanted to continue with it as far as I could. I wanted to try to get a free education.

Q: How has your game changed since becoming a Wildcat?

A: I’d say the main thing is that I try to give effort as much as possible. I guess you could say I was kind of lazy. I try to focus on giving effort every day, and honing on all the skills I already have.

Q: Some of your teammates are former Metro League players, including Jody Johnson from Franklin. What’s it like playing together?

A: It’s kind of fun to get together and play on the same team instead of battling each other.

Q: What’s your major?

A: Sociology. I took classes at Highline, and it was a really interseting subject.

Q: What have the academic transitions been like?

A: BHS really prepares you for college. You go from two-hour classes to one hour – they’re really short. They did a really good job.

Q: Do you still keep up with Spartan basketball?

A: I still try to follow a little bit. I keep in touch with Rudy (Sharar) and Austin (Wood). I talk with Steven (Gray) a lot.

Q: Did your dad – a former professional player – encourage you to pick up basketball as a kid?

A: He just tried to expose me to sports as much as possible. It didn’t really matter to him what sport – he just wanted me to get into sports.