Now that Cusworth has returned, the questions about the future automatically come to the fore, and both the second semester sophomore and his coach are not sure how his eligibility will play out in the long term.

As it stands now, Cusworth can possibly return to play for Harvard the fall or spring semester of the 2006-2007 year, but would have problems reclaiming eligibility for the entire season—which spans both semesters.

One option for Cusworth and the Crimson is that he take a semester off in order to remain enrolled at the college for the entire year, but as of right now, he is not worried about all the different scenarios for the future.

“If I’m only allowed to play one semester, so be it,” Cusworth says. “If there was a possibility, I would jump on it. I’m worrying about one step at a time.”

At present, he can look forward not only to starting for the first time in his collegiate career, but also finally playing alongside junior forward Matt Stehle—who garnered All-Ivy Honorable Mention status last season.

After two years where either one or the other has been hampered by injury, Cusworth looks to add the final piece to the puzzle and give Harvard one of the best front courts in the Ivy League.

“It made a difference not having [Cusworth] last year for sure,” Sullivan says. “You can see in practice, just the size of his body makes a difference. Central issue is staying in the game and not getting in trouble. Stehle led the Ivy League in blocks, but Cusworth might even be better.”

With two healthy feet, the giant man in the middle might just be the one to finally carry the Crimson over the hump.

—Staff writer Gabriel M. Velez can be reached at gmvelez@fas.harvard.edu.