Rhese Gibson wasn't a five star recruit, nor was he a developmental project. In modern terms, he was a "glue guy", the kind of player that always kept the team together and, before his years were through, would be part of at least one great game. For Gibson, it took a full four years to share in that kind of game.

Gibson averaged only 11 points per game in high school, but was seen as a player with upside. His freshman year offered few opportunities behind Cheikh Dia in the lineup, averaging just over a point a game in 18 games. Situated somewhere between a power forward and a center, Gibson was often too slow to match up in the forward role and not tall enough to battle inside. His media guide profile wryly noted that Gibson "can be effective without the ball."

In three seasons, Gibson averaged 1.8 points per game over 74 games, but was selected a captain for his senior season. Still, minutes and points were hard to come by. In 16 games during the midst of the Big East season, Gibson scored just 10 points, and scored a high of just four points in Big East play. Gibson deserved a breakout game, and it wasn't there.

Despite a late run in February and an upset of #12 Syracuse in the Big East tournament, the 18-14 Hoyas were dispatched to the NIT, the third straight season for what was an under performing club in the last years of John Thompson and the early years under Craig Esherick. Road games in the NIT were the norm, and the Hoyas opened at Virginia. Fellow senior Jameel Watkins had an awful game, fouling out in just five minutes of play, and Gibson then rose to the occasion. Playing a career high 38 minutes, the 6-8 senior grabbed a career high 13 rebounds and helped steady the Hoyas in a 115-111 win. Gibson's inside game gave the Hoyas the room to stay close, while Kevin Braswell's 40 points led the stat sheet.

A week later, Gibson played in just 14 minutes as the Hoyas lost at California and ended the season. But for one night in Charlottesville, Gibson was more than a glue guy, but the kind of player he always knew he was.