TSI Player Spotlight: Eli Gilpin of South Ripley

If you haven’t heard the name Eli Gilpin yet, now’s the time to lock it in. The 6’4” sophomore combo guard is quickly turning heads—and Friday night was just the latest reminder why.

Gilpin put on a show in South Ripley’s 82–78 win over Milan, pouring in 23 points, while adding 5 rebounds and 3 assists in a high-energy battle. It was another big-time performance from a player who seems to be hitting a new gear as the season rolls on.

Most fans know Gilpin for his ability to rain down three-pointers in bunches. When he gets hot, the gym feels it. But the ones who really understand his game know this: Eli Gilpin is at his most dangerous when he’s going downhill. At 6’4”, he’s tough to keep in front, absorbs contact, and finishes through traffic. And when the help defense slides over? No problem—Gilpin is more than willing to kick it out and make the right play for his teammates.

What makes guarding him even more of a nightmare is the work he’s put in away from the spotlight. Gilpin has developed into an elite-level free throw shooter, meaning fouling him is no longer a solution—it’s a problem.

Pick your poison. Step up and he blows by you. Sag off and he buries a three. Send help and he finds an open teammate. There just isn’t a simple answer for opposing defenses when Eli Gilpin is on the floor.

One thing is clear: this elite sophomore is only getting started, and the buzz around him is very real. Keep an eye on #—because Eli Gilpin is a name you’re going to be hearing a lot more of. 🔥🏀