Zags Wednesday: Spotlight on Ben Gregg
Teresa Powe
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This Wednesday marks the last in the Spotlight series, and we are shining our light on Ben Gregg this week.
In September 2020, as a junior at Clackamas High School, Ben Gregg committed to Gonzaga University. In November of the same year, he signed with Gonzaga. Then, in March of 2021, he defended the future Cleveland Cavaliers’ Evan Mobley in the NCAA Elite Eight. Sound crazy? Let’s see how Gregg went from high school junior to college freshman in a few short months.
Beginnings
On October 14, 2002, Ben Gregg was born in Clackamas, OR to Matt and Kori Gregg. Matt Gregg coached the women’s basketball team at Warner-Pacific in Portland.
Gregg attended Clackamas High School, playing power forward for the basketball team. But before I get into his stats, let me say that Ben is another high-caliber basketball player that will play in the NBA one day. The same type of basketball player that seems to fall into Coach Mark Few’s lap year after year.
Ben averaged 21.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game in his last year at Clackamas. He was Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year. Gregg was number 75 in ESPN’s Top 100. In 24/7, he was number 34.
Committing to Gonzaga
Ben committed to Gonzaga in September 2020. Then after cramming a school year into two months, he signed with Gonzaga University in November. Here’s how he tells it:
“Obviously committing was very special and since then it just kept getting more surreal,” Gregg said in a text message. “Signing and making it official was obviously very special for my family and I, and then getting a phone call a couple days later and having them tell me they want me to come this year was just the cherry on top.
After the whirlwind signing, he was on his way to Gonzaga in all of four months. Coach Few wanted him now…
At Gonzaga
That 2020-21 year, the year that saw Gonzaga go 31 and 1, Gregg came off the bench for Coach Few. He played in 18 games and pulled down 18 rebounds, making a total of 17 points. Ben even played in the NCAA Tournament. In the Elite Eight against USC for two minutes, Ben guarded the future Cleveland Cavaliers’ power forward, Evan Mobley. It’s surreal alright.
The 2021-22 season is going the same as the Gonzaga Bulldogs’ seasons. They’ve won their eighth WCC championship in the past nine years. Gregg played in 16 games during the season with 34 rebounds, ten assists, and 40 points. However, his contributions to this year’s NCAA Tournament have yet to be felt.
I remember being this same kid asking for autographs from all the Gonzaga players…still unreal that I’m living out my dream? pic.twitter.com/fovyaK1uDB
— ben gregg (@bengregg20) February 13, 2022
What’s next for Gregg?
His first full year is officially done. Things are looking bright for Ben next season. Gregg should be Coach Few’s first forward off the bench, with possibly Chet Holmgren and Drew Timme leaving for the NBA. With his power and athleticism, Ben will definitely help continue the Gonzaga legacy and hopefully work towards their second NCAA championship.