'Little Ben Gregg' becomes Gonzaga fan favorite
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- What has become a Gonzaga gameday tradition all started with a "little" nickname for former Clackamas star Ben Gregg.
“I’d call him little, and he’d say he’s taller than me,” said Gregg's brother Matt. “Obviously, now he might be just because his hair sticks up like two inches, but that’s the only reason why he’s got me on that.”
From there on out, the 'Little Ben Gregg' nickname stuck for the 6-foot-10 forward and it eventually inspired what has ingratiated both brothers to the fan base.
“I posted all this stuff so that his grandmother and family up in Spokane knew game times and that kind of thing. Then we had all these pictures of him. He was little and so we’re like, ‘Okay, let’s throw those up there,’” said Matt. “And then it just took off. If I miss one, people let me know, so it’s been crazy.”
At first, Ben was puzzled by the posts. Then a bit petrified.
“I was like, ‘Why are you doing this?’ I mean, he didn’t have a lot of followers at the time besides my family and some of his friends, so I didn’t think anybody really saw it,” said Ben. “Then the followers started to grow and grow, just fans and random people. A lot of people have seen me at my worst moments as a kid, for sure.”
There are a few pictures though that Ben does enjoy.
“There’s so many of me or him in Gonzaga clothing. It kind of just shows the fans that I really am a lifelong fan and now a gameday for me playing at Gonzaga is kind of special,” said Ben. “But there’s a lot of embarrassing ones I don’t like, for sure.”
And don’t worry, Matt says there are more embarrassing photos in the vault for Ben’s final season as the lifelong fan wraps up his lifelong dream.
It’s been a long road for Ben, who rode the bench his first two seasons in the Gonzaga program. The year after, he broke through as a member of the rotation. Then, midway through last season, he finally got the nod he’d been yearning for: Starter. He’s started every game since.
“I’m just proud of myself and happy I stuck it out. I could’ve transferred and went somewhere else, and it’s not Gonzaga. It wouldn’t have been the same experience,” said Ben. “I think it taught me a lot of life lessons along the way. Very thankful I did it and very happy.”
Dad is proud, but also quick to remind Ben of the whole reason for this story in the first place.
“It’s been incredible to see his growth. Although he’s still little Ben Gregg, his growth has been incredible,” said Matt.