Rico Gathers Is College Basketball’s Most Imposing Figure

Imagine a physical specimen with the mass of Dwight Howard. Now try packing, muscling and sculpting that bulk into a 6-foor-8, LeBron James-esque frame and the result is the most physically imposing beast college basketball has to offer; Baylor’s Rico Gathers.

You see Gathers on the court and his appearance comes as one that makes him not only one of the most athletic college basketball players in the country, but one of the most athletic college athletes in general. How many other guys do you know that could have a roster spot waiting for them on a football program that just barely missed out on being in college football’s first playoff.

More from NBA

Just check out this excerpt from si.com.

"Gathers’ physicality may lead one to wonder whether he has a future in a different sport. Before the season, Gathers said Bears football coach Art Briles approached him about lining up at tight end, and that several Baylor players — including star quarterback Bryce Petty and defensive lineman Shawn Oakman — talked to him about playing on the team.Gathers hasn’t played competitive football since middle school but says he considers it his “Plan B” after basketball. For now, his focus is on improving his hoops skills while helping Baylor compete, board after board, in one of the nation’s toughest conferences."

Gathers unique blend of physical capabilities, natural rebounding instincts and hunger for coming out with the board has led to the junior big man capturing the title of most dominant rebounder in the country, while becoming a double double machine this year for Scott Drew.

En route to becoming the most pivotal piece on a team that’s currently ranked No. 16 in the country, Gathers 12.2 points and 12.6 rebounds per game has been what’s led to their interior offensive presence and rebounding unit that ranked fifth in the NCAA.

Over the Bears’ last four games, Gather has increased his rebounding average to 16 boards per game, and has done so against Texas, West Virginia and Oklahoma State, which isn’t easy to do by any means.

Jan 21, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears forward Rico Gathers (2) is fouled by Huston-Tillotson Rams guard Shai Fields (23) after going up for his 28th rebound of the night, a Big 12 and Baylor record, a during the second half at Ferrell Center. Baylor won 81-61. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

This has equated into Gathers leading college basketball in total rebounds by a double digit margin, as the only player in the country with more than 300 rebounds to this point at 303.

In fact, Gathers efforts on the glass has been so convincing this season that it comes as a surprise that he’s second in the country in rebounds per game at 12.6 and rebounds per 40 minutes with a staggering 17.2.

But it’s worth noting that his narrow predecessors in these two categories are playing in far less competitive conferences, with Delaware State’s Kendall Gray leading the NCAA in rebounds at 12.7, while Michael Holyfield of Sam Houston State leads the per 40 category. But even more impressive for Gathers is his effectiveness in the time he plays.

Although 29.3 minutes per game isn’t considered limited minutes, he is seeing fewer minutes than any of the other top 11 rebounders in the country, but is still managing to easily put up the most striking numbers.

This has been the case all season for Gathers. Of his 24 games played this season, he’s only failed to register double-digit rebounds four times.

Now it’s easy to get caught up in Gathers’ rebounding numbers, but he’s a threat across the board. His size wears and tears on even the most formidable big men in the Big 12 and his willingness and effective to run the break well and finish in traffic make up for his lack of offensive options down low.

As the season has continued towards March, Baylor has begun looking more and more like a team that could make some serious noise in the NCAA tournament. This is, in large, due to the efforts of the most athletically imposing, physical monster college basketball has to offer right now. Without Gathers, the Bears would be just another team.

Next: College Basketball Rankings: Top 25 Teams In America

More from Hoops Habit