Upshaw's evolution into an impact college player and an NBA prospect is a testament to his perseverance because there were times when it seemed his basketball career had stalled.
This is a guy who averaged an underwhelming 4.1 points and 3.8 rebounds as a freshman at Fresno State despite arriving with more hype than any recruit the school has landed in years. This is a guy who Fresno State coach Rodney Terry suspended twice as a freshman for team rules violations and eventually decided was more trouble than he was worth. This is a guy whose spot on the Washington roster was in jeopardy last spring after the coaching staff banned him from attending practices or games so he could address his off-court issues.
"I think it has made Rob a stronger person fighting through so many obstacles to get to this point," said his mother Ceylon Sherman. "Rob has always been a sweet, caring person, but the decisions and choices he was making weren't the right ones. He has matured a lot over the last year or two. Now he appreciates what he has more because he had to work harder to achieve it."
