Good Sports - Nate Gale
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Leadership comes naturally to Hoover High basketball player Nathan Gale. The oldest of 5 siblings, the senior shooting guard brings positive energy everywhere he goes.
"He's just a breath of fresh air for this team to be honest with you. He's a game changer more so in life as opposed to the court," said Hoover Basketball head coach Michael Fulford.
At three years old Nate was diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome.
"It is a genetic disorder, that is a developmental delay, it's also the leading known genetic cause of Autism," said his mother Liza Alvarado.
Entering high school "Big Nate" as he's also known found a home in the Hoover Basketball program.
"It's been kind of cool. It's built me up as a basketball player, I've been working, I'm doing everything I'm supposed to do, it's cool," said Nate Gale.
"His growth as a basketball player he continues work hard. As a person as where he continues to get better, he continues to inspire everyone, including myself, I'm grown and he teaches me something every day," said Coach Fulford.
Not only is Nate a player, he's a huge fan of the game, his favorite player is arguably the greatest player to ever lace them up.
"Michael Jordan, but he gets buckets, he does," said Gale.
Nate is no stranger to getting buckets. He scored in a game against Memorial earlier this season.
"Inspiring, again it puts everything in perspective. It doesn't matter what the score is, it doesn't matter how big of a game it is. It's all about that moment and see the joy on his face, that moment for me is the reason why I'm coaching," said Coach Fulford.
Coaching is where Nate's future may live after his playing days.
"He's a senior I don't know what I'm going to do next year when he's not there. I might need another assistant coach and I'm going to call him probably," said Coach Fulford. "He's such a great kid, I wish nothing but the best for him. I can't explain what he does for this community. There are no words to put it."
No words, just buckets.
