BURLEY — Nash Gillette has earned his share of accolades during four years with the Burley High School Bobcats, and on Tuesday he made it official: the standout guard will continue his basketball career at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls.
Burley High School hosted a signing ceremony on May 12 to mark the occasion, with Gillette formally committing to join the CSI Golden Eagles men’s basketball program. The move keeps him close to home — CSI is less than an hour from Burley — while positioning him for a potential path to NCAA Division I competition.
A Decorated Career in Burley
Gillette’s commitment caps a standout prep career that saw him develop into one of the top players in Idaho’s 5A classification. As a senior, he averaged 17.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.9 steals per game — a statistical profile that earned him a spot on the 2026 5A All-Idaho First Team, selected by coaches statewide.
His production also helped Burley return to the state tournament for the first time since 2022. The Bobcats competed well in the state field, though they fell short in both of their contests. Despite the losses, Gillette was named to the all-tournament third team — the only Burley player to receive any of the three all-tournament honors.
The recognition didn’t stop there. The Southern Idaho Athletic Conference named him co-player of the year, an honor he shared with Twin Falls standout Trey Billings. It was a fitting conclusion to a career that saw Gillette earn all-conference recognition as early as his sophomore season, when he was named to the third team before reaching the first team as a junior.
At the signing ceremony, Gillette reflected on leaving his teammates behind. “It’s bittersweet,” he said. “I’m going to miss playing with all my old teammates, but I’ll get to meet new ones, and I’m excited for that.”
CSI’s Proven Pipeline to Division I
Gillette is joining a CSI program with a well-established track record of developing talent and moving players up to NCAA Division I programs. Several members of the 2024-25 CSI roster have already taken that next step — including transfers to Utah State University and Middle Tennessee State University.
That pipeline is a key part of why Gillette chose to stay close to home rather than pursue offers elsewhere. He made clear his long-term ambitions extend well beyond the junior college level.
“I want to go Division I, I want to go major Division I, as high as I can go,” Gillette said. “That’s what I’m excited for.”
The proximity of CSI to Burley also factored into his decision. Gillette specifically cited the ability to remain close to his grandparents and broader support network while pursuing both his athletic and academic goals.
Gillette will be familiar with the CSI gym from the opposition’s side — he appeared in a February contest at Twin Falls High School, which shares arena space used for local events. Now he’ll be suiting up for the Golden Eagles in that same building and others across the Scenic West Athletic Conference schedule.
For CSI head coach Jeff Rei—, adding a player of Gillette’s caliber out of the regional talent pool fits the program’s recruiting philosophy of identifying proven local performers and developing them toward four-year opportunities.
Twin Falls County sports fans may already be familiar with Gillette from his battles against area programs. Twin Falls High School’s own Kyler Auth recently made headlines by committing to join CSI’s inaugural esports team, reflecting a broader trend of local athletes finding homes at the college just down the road.
What Comes Next
Gillette will join the CSI men’s basketball program when the 2026-27 academic year begins this fall. The Golden Eagles compete in the Scenic West Athletic Conference and have consistently contended for postseason berths in the National Junior College Athletic Association. If Gillette’s trajectory continues, CSI could serve as a launching pad toward the Division I career he’s set his sights on. Local fans will have the chance to watch him develop up close — a rare opportunity for a Magic Valley basketball standout. Area athletes have been making news across spring sports as well, with 75 competitors qualifying for the state track and field meet out of the 5A District IV championships.