“Kids who go off to four-year schools don’t know what they want to major in. They usually come back to a junior college to figure things out,” he said.

Division II Chaminade University in Hawaii is currently recruiting Gottlieb. Head Coach Jesse Teplitzky works with Assistant Coach Joe Cascio to not only guide the Corsairs through each exciting season, but they go the extra mile compiling portfolios to send out to four-year universities to market each player. “We need to tell four-years where they are,” Teplitzky said.

Teplitzky beamed when asked about how proud he is of Gottlieb. “He stayed here rather than transferring after his freshman year, because I thought he could enhance his transfer ability,” said Teplitzky. Hailing from Venice High School, Gottlieb valiantly played for the Corsairs this past season and his passion for basketball was evident at each action-packed game.
“It’s like the love of my life,” Gottlieb said about the game of basketball.

Teplitzky left a lasting impression on Gottlieb. “He works his ass off,” Gottlieb said. “He’s here early in the morning ‘til late at night.” Cascio left an indelible mark on Gottlieb as well. Smiling, Gottlieb said, “I call him ‘Papa Cash.’ He’s a really stabilizing force.”

Gottlieb’s most memorable game was the first game of the season against Santa Ana College. Gottlieb said that they scored 14 points in overtime. “So that’s cool,” he said.

When asked who inspired him on his team, Gottlieb proceeded to name off a couple of players and ended up naming the whole team. “I learned a lot about myself,” Gottlieb said about his involvement playing guard on the Corsairs.

On what Gottlieb would want people to know about him as a person, he said, “I’m a loyal guy that works his ass off.” Chuckling and bashfully shrugging, he sighed and apologized for his language. “I don’t know how to say stuff without cursing.”

Gottlieb proceeded to describe himself as “straight-forward, loyal and hard-working.”
Gottlieb started playing basketball when he was 6 years old at Mar Vista Park. He continued to play when he went to Santa Monica High School a few years later in life and at Venice High School, which he transferred to after his sophomore year. “It’s smaller, less students. It’s chill,” Gottlieb said