There’s no way around it—Gus Yalden just doesn’t look the part to first-time spectators.

Even at 6’9”, 240 pounds, there’s a courtside consensus from coaches that he’s giving more offensive tackle than dominant big man, optically.

“Yeah, that’s what most people think I play if they don’t know me,” Yalden says. “That or they think I’m a baseball player. I’ll be honest, I agree I don’t look the part.”

The judgment is an easier pill to swallow for Yalden because, in this instance, the cover is giving some realistic hints about the book.

Yalden won’t mesmerize you with his blistering speed, and he’s certainly not entering dunk contests anytime soon. That said, by the time the final horn sounds, he’s quite likely going to walk off the court as the game’s most productive player.

Quite the cloak-and-dagger scenario, indeed.

“It’s crazy because you’d definitely sleep on him just looking at him,” one ACC assistant coach says. “But he’s gonna earn your respect, no doubt about it. Five-star or unknown kid, he’s gonna give it to whoever he’s playing, you can believe that.”

Gus the Bus, his nickname that’s derived from the 2006 movie The Benchwarmers, won over the masses this summer, dominating all challengers in the grueling Nike EYBL while averaging 15 points and eight rebounds with City Rocks (N.Y.).

In terms of résumé, his 35-point (70% from the field), 17-rebound performance at the prestigious Nike Peach Jam in July cemented his standing as one of the top bigs in the country.

JASON JORDAN AUG 25, 2022 SI.COM