Florida offers rising small forward
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Every now and then a recruit seems to come out of nowhere.
In the past couple of weeks there had been talk of an emerging small forward in Louisiana named Brison Gresham who was quickly picking up high major offers following a good showing in two AAU events -- the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions in Atlanta and Nike EYBL Session III in Houston.
According to scouts who cover Louisiana grassroots basketball, Gresham's talent was always there, but he was tucked away on the AAU circuit playing in independent tournaments for Greg Monroe's travel team. Now that he is playing with Elfrid Payton Elite in the EYBL national scouts and, more importantly, college coaches are getting a chance to see him.
"I think I've been playing pretty good but I don't think I've been playing the best that I can play," Brison said of his spring performance. "I've been running the floor pretty well, trying to be as active as I can. I think my defense has been good but it can be better. I'm a good shot blocker but lately I haven't been blocking as many."
Gresham is averaging 7.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2 blocks per game while only committing 19 personal fouls through twelve EYBL games. Elfrid Payton Elite is 6-6 and squarely on the bubble for the prestigious July Nike Peach Jam. The last EYBL session before Peach Jam is this weekend in Minneapolis and Gresham knows what is at stake.
"Making it to Peach Jam and wining Peach Jam are my goals," Gresham said. "We're 6-6, so we need to go positive this tournament to for sure be in Peach Jam."
A rising senior at McDonogh 35 High School in New Orleans, Gresham told us the two things he likes best about the EYBL are the competition and the exposure the Nike league provides.
"I'm playing people my size and people bigger than me which will help me out in the future," said Gresham. Seeing all those coaches on the sideline makes me play even harder, it motivates me."
Listed at 6-foot-8 and 205-pounds, Gresham is a bouncy long small forward with a knack for block shots around the basket or away from it. His wingspan looks to be in the 7-foot range which often allows him to rebound and block shots without fouling. Offensively he excels in transition and can finish above the rim, but also likes the jump shot from the elbow.
As for the recent surge in his recruitment, Gresham said that he's hearing the most from Cincinnati, UMass, Miami, Mississippi State, Texas and a program that offered just last week - Florida.
Gresham had been hearing from the Florida staff when they were at Louisiana Tech, but they didn't offer him until arriving in Gainesville.
"Coach White called and made the offer," Gresham said. "At first I didn't' know who it was because he has a new number. I had his old number from LA Tech. He was telling me how they moved to Florida because it was a great opportunity. He asked me if I was interested in Florida and then he offered me a scholarship. I've talked to him a couple of times. Him and Coach (Dusty) May. I always talk to him (May) that's my guy. We've been chatting for a while, he's pretty cool."
What are the Gators chances of landing Gresham? Well, they'll increase if Florida also offers his teammate, 6-foot-5, 179-pound wing DeJon Jarreau.
According to Gresham, the two plan to attend the same college.
"Yeah that's for sure," Gresham said. "We're like a battery, a minus and a plus. We gotta be by each other."
The two are not only teammates on Elfrid Payton Elite, they are also teammates at McDonogh 35 High School and have known each other since middle school.
Gresham has yet to take any unofficial visits, but said that he plans to make his school choice in the fall. With his list of offers continuing to grow, he's received six new offers in the past 10 days, plus the added recruiting dynamic of the package deal with Jarreau, it would not be surprising to see him push his decision to the spring.
Russ Wood is a contributing national basketball recruiting analyst for Inside the Gators & Rivals. You can click HERE to follow him on Twitter.