UMass big man Brison Gresham is still waiting to learn whether the NCAA will clear him to play as a freshman.
But unlike some of the Minutemen’s recent players who’ve had to sit out, he’ll at least be a partial qualifier and eligible to practice all year.
UMass coach Derek Kellogg said Gresham, a 6-foot-9 forward from New Orleans, has stood out in practice.
“Brison has been a pleasant surprise. I knew the kid was good, but he’s done some things in practice where he could be really good,” Kellogg said. “He’s like Kevin McHale. He never brings it down. He just catches and dunks.”
He’s further along defensively than most freshman big men have been. Kellogg hopes to utilize him on the front of the press.
“He’s as good on the ball in the press as anyone we’ve had here since Maxie (Esho) in his third year and Sean Carter when he was really good,” Kellogg said.
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage