Huskies hoopsters add 7-foot transfer for ’14-’15

The Huskies basketball team added a big man when seven-foot Robert Upshaw transferred from Fresno State to Washington, the school announced Tuesday. Upshaw will sit out the next season and will have three years of eligibility.

“We are very excited to have Robert,” coach Lorenzo Romar said in a statement. “There are not many post guys out there like him in college basketball. We’re anxious to begin working with him to help him reach his overall potential.”

Upshaw had two suspensions from the Fresno team and was eventually dismissed last month after a disappointing freshman season.

“I had a nice visit with both Washington and Oregon,” Upshaw told espn.com. “I just felt like Washington was a better fit for me as a player.I liked it there, I felt comfortable and am looking forward to a new start.

“I went through a tough period at Fresno State. I had some maturity problems and didn’t focus on what was in front of me. It all made me realize that I need to focus on what’s important. I love the game.”

As a freshman in 2013, Upshaw averaged 5.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 22 games, including five starts. He had a team-high 39 blocks in 16.4 minutes per game.

His best game came against Washington State Dec. 9 when he scored a season-high 10 points on 5-of-10 shooting, seven rebounds and six blocks.

Upshaw graduated from Fresno’s San Joaquin Memorial, the same school that produced former Husky Quincy Pondexter. As a senior, Upshaw averaged 18 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks per game and was named the co-Player of the Year in the County/Metro Athletic Conference.

Upshaw was rated the No. 4 prospect in the state of California and the 55^th overall player in the nation, according to the 2012 ESPNU 100.

When Upshaw becomes eligible, he could potentially join a front court that features 6-11 Gilles Dierickx, 6-9 Shawn Kemp Jr., 6-10 Jernard Jarreau and 6-7 Desmond Simmons.