Sularski made his decision public via social media on Thursday and visited with the Standard-Examiner on Tuesday to discuss the move at length. The four-star native of Lisle, Illinois, comes to Utah from Lemont High School and FIBA’s under-16 Poland squad.

247Sports heralds Sularski, listed at 6-foot-5, as the No. 2 prospect in the Illinois class of 2026 and No. 130-ranked player in the country.

So why is Sularski bound for Utah? Part of the answer comes down to replicating the expectations of college basketball, which LCA head coach Casey Stanley sold Sularski on during a virtual visit.

“Once we hopped on a Zoom and really talked, we just fell in love with the program,” Sularski said. “He was just really raving about me, about the program and how I could really benefit them and how he could use me as a point guard. Obviously, the whole team’s mostly all from Europe, so now kind of playing in Europe and coming here, it’s that same place where I’m really excited.”

Sularski comes to Layton holding major offers from Michigan State, Notre Dame, Purdue, Indiana and Tennessee. Part of his attraction to LCA is Stanley’s history working with various college programs, including Iona, Seton Hall and Arkansas State, before moving to Utah.

As Eagles head coach, Stanley has produced 13 college-bound players since being hired in 2023. Tyrin Jones (UNLV), Melchi Egbeyemi (signed to Weber State in October 2024), Samuel Obenjo (Robert Morris) and Alan Gballou (Eastern Washington) are four of his latest signees in the Class of 2025.

Stanley has his heart set on adding Sularski to that list of college products.

“Layton Christian is fortunate to welcome a young man and basketball player of Gabe’s caliber,” Stanley said. “Attracting a Top 100 national recruit with nine high-major offers to come from Chicago to Utah is a testament to the quality of our school and the basketball program we are building. I am excited to watch Gabe develop and grow, and I look forward to helping him achieve his dream of becoming a Division I basketball player.”

Holding dual citizenship between the U.S. and Poland, Sularski spent last August competing against Bulgaria, France, Lithuania, Greece, Slovenia and Georgia for Poland’s under-16 team, traveling across five countries at just 15 years old.

In seven appearances, Sularski averaged 16.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game for the Polish.

Sularski holds the experience close but also considered the competitive format when discussing the possibility of playing basketball for Stanley at LCA. He drew comparisons between the two programs, including a diverse roster and the prep involved with moving away from home.

“How (Stanley) wants to play, it really shows you how you could transfer from a high school team right to college,” Sularski said. “With the portal stuff now, it’s really hard for a freshman to play, so I think with him, you’ll be so much more ready for college.”

He continued:

“Obviously, staying in your hometown would be great. I think we’re kind of treating this as a year-earlier-sorta-thing since I’m going by myself. I’m preparing for how it’s going to be in college and how my parents aren’t with me. It’s also about an education that’s great at LCA, finishing my classes, graduating and taking that to a college I’ll benefit the most.”

The attraction of Sularski is another indicator of LCA’s national visibility, which has undoubtedly grown since becoming an independent UHSAA member beginning this past season. Coming in October, the Eagles are one of two Utah high school programs featured in the nationally televised Border League showcase in Las Vegas.

Connect with reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net and X @ctbecker.