Just weeks away from the start of the school year, new UMass men’s basketball coach Frank Martin has added his most significant freshman as one of the top 50 players in the class of 2023 is reclassifying to the class of 2022 and has signed to play at UMass.
Tafara Gapare, a 6-foot-10 big man from Wellington, New Zealand who plays at the South Kent School in Connecticut, was the top-ranked player in the state and the No. 42 player (18th power forward) in the class on 2023 before he reclassified. He had originally verbally committed to DePaul.
“Recruiting high-level players to UMass is something that I’ve been excited about from the day I got hired,” Martin said in UMass a release announcing the signing. “Tafara adds that to the class that is already in place. He is a 6-foot-10, skilled forward that has a chance to be an unbelievable player both offensively and defensively. He has only been in the United States for six months so he is somewhat unknown, but UMass fans will know who he is as soon as he takes the court for us.”
Gapare is one of three freshmen in the incoming class. He told 24-7 Sports he likes joining an older team.
“I love the fact that’s it’s not a lot of freshman coming in and it’s some older guys that’s played college basketball,” he said. “I can learn small things from them. I’m like a sponge, I love to listen and learn. I think with the players we have and adding me you can crown us A10 champs now!”
Ad Choices