Jarred Reuter will have a big impact next season after having sit out last year due to NCAA transfer rules. We’ve talked about what exactly he will bring to the team but this off-season we’ll get a better look at him, especially with summer practices available due to the team’s trip to Spain in August. The staff has been raving about him in practice for awhile but now some quotes from Dave Paulsen are starting to come out that shows just how high they are on him. Super fan blogger Peter Fallon aka @peteybuckets had a recent interview with Paulsen discussing various topics. Here’s the quote about Reuter when discussing next year’s incoming players:

“Obviously Jarred we’ve had a chance to work with every single day, and again he’s got great work ethic, has great character, like he’s a fun kid to coach. He’s also pretty talented. He’s got to stay healthy, he’s gotta stay humble, you know all the if ifs but he’ll have a chance to be one of the best players in the league.

…

I think he’s really good, he can score around the basket, I mean I know he can; he can score at the mid-range, he can shoot threes. He’s got to get in a little better shape, he’s got to be become an Elite Rebounder. We’re just talking after he’s had his workout, like ‘are you an elite rebounder or are you a good rebounder?’ you know. He’s gotta stay out of foul trouble, all the if if ifs, but he’s got a chance to be one of the five best players in the league, I believe that.”

Definitely not something I thought I’d hear the coach say at this point. It shows me that Reuter has to have improved in a lot of areas of his game during the past year and that the staff believes in him having a big impact next year. This quote also proves that the staff clearly doesn’t just see him as a guy filling a void up front but as a potential first team Atlantic 10 player. What gets me excited hearing this is that it means Paulsen has the team in place that he wants and next year’s squad won’t be held back by roster limitations. Paulsen has been building toward this season since he arrived and conference as a whole losses a lot heading into 2018-19. Mason could really be in control of their destiny in the A-10 if everything comes together.