UMass lands package deal
There isn't ever a shortage of players claiming that they will be package deals when it comes to making their college choice. However, finding players who truly follow through with it is a little bit tougher.
During a press conference streamed live on NOLA.com, four-star point guard DeJon Jarreau and three-star power forward Brison Gresham actually followed through on their promise to be a package deal by announcing that they will attend UMass together.
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That the duo will play in college together seems only natural. They've been teammates together at New Orleans (La.) McDonogh 35 and during the summer with Elfrid Payton Elite on the Nike Elite Youth Basketball Circuit.
"We picked UMass because we had a better bond with the team and the coaches," Jarreau said during the press conference. "The campus was just wonderful."
Gresham echoed the thoughts of his teammate.
"I felt more comfortable with the coaches," said Gresham. "The academics were great and I feel like I can do better there academically."
While they are longtime teammates, Jarreau and Gresham bring totally different qualities to the table.
Ranked No. 39 in the 2016 Rivals150, Jarreau is a 6-foot-5 point guard who oozes upside. Jarreau is very good with the ball and his slickness with the dribble allows him to find ways to the rim where he can use his size to score.
Jarreau is a good open-court athlete, does an outstanding job of finding teammates out of the high ball screen and has turned himself into a very respectable shooter.
Jarreau needs to add weight to his skinny 170-pound frame, but with his size and rapidly expanding skillset he has an immense upside and room to outplay his current ranking with the proper development.
A 6-foot-8 power forward, Gresham currently ranks No. 131 overall in the class of 2016.
While Jarreau plays a skill-based game, Gresham is all about athleticism, toughness and a non-stop motor.
He uses his quick leaping and long arms to clean the glass, he soars for dunks in traffic and he outworks opponents to save possessions and win 50/50 balls.
Gresham has started to become reliable with a jump hook and will blossom if he can add a 12-foot jumper into the mix.
Jarreau and Gresham are the second and third prospects to join UMass's 2016 recruiting class.
The duo joins three-star shooting guard Unique McLean to form a very solid group for Derek Kellogg and his staff.
#UMass bound ... De'Jon Jarreau and Brison Gresham pic.twitter.com/mcRUE7SLvD- Rod Walker (@rwalkeradvocate) September 28, 2015
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