GAINESVILLE — Robert Reisman has become a leader on and off the court for the Gainesville boys basketball team this season.
The Red Elephants' roster went through some changes in the offseason, whether it was to graduation or player transfers, it left coach Chuck Graham with the task of rebuilding the starting rotation.
Enter a tall, lanky junior that can shoot and rebound. As Graham says, Reisman has taken the fast track and has accepted the role in stride.
"I'm so proud of that kid," Graham said. "He's the first person in the gym and the last to leave, but he's actually, just off the court, developing into our best leader. It has allowed us to fast track him with all the losses we had personnel-wise early in the year. It kind of put him out of position, but the kid never waivered. He kept working, and now we're starting to reap the benefits of those early losses."
It's no secret the Red Elephants started the season 0-10 but have won the last 11-of-13 to grab the No. 2 seed in this week's Region 8-6A and, with the No. 2 finish in the region, it earned the team a spot in the Class 6A playoffs next week.
"Our main thing, at the beginning of the year, was to get better than we were the day before," Reisman said. "So, we just kept the same attitude and listened to coach."
Reisman averaged 13 points per game last week and 8 rebounds. He also pulled down a season-high 12 boards in the win at Winder-Barrow.
Gaining the Edge is sponsored by Conditioned Air Systems.
