Virginia’s frontcourt depth has been a significant piece of its success this season. Senior Darion Atkins, junior Anthony Gill, and junior Mike Tobey have anchored the post with all three being key contributors during the run to a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

One post player that has logged zero minutes, however, has been a key part of that trio’s development. Freshman Jack Salt is taking a redshirt this season, but has helped prepare his teammates week in and week out at practice. At 6’11” and 235 pounds, the New Zealand native brings a lot of physicality to the table and that’s toughened up Atkins, Gill, and Tobey.

“He definitely beats us up. He’s a bruiser man,” Atkins said. “He’s very physical. I’ve never someone his age that is as physical as he is. … Whatever it is, it works. It’s helping him be better and it’s helping make us better.”

The other characteristic that has drawn the most attention is that Salt plays with a lot of energy. He plays hard all the time with a non-stop motor. Atkins admires that quality.

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