Editor's Note: Ryan Marks is the head coach at Division I independent Texas-Pan American and is chronicling his season for ESPN The Magazine. In his latest dispatch, he marvels at the sizable impact of one vertically challenged player.

I incessantly scribble depth charts. Often on office dry-erase boards, sometimes on paper bags and even on random receipts. The frequent rehashing of lineups is cathartic, because upon completion we’re three-deep at every position. Then, inevitably, factors beyond my control shrink the options quicker than Kim Kardashian requesting a divorce.

My most primitive doodle was made in 2009 on my first day at UTPA. We had only six players after losing seniors and transfers. Over the summer, we managed to reach our NCAA-sanctioned limit of 12, but the depth didn’t last long. By late October, I had a center with a bum knee and two power forwards who were temporarily unavailable. Suddenly, 6-foot-1 sophomore guard Jared Maree was my 4. (He’s listed at 6-3, just like Charles Barkley was a generous 6-6.)

Last season, injuries to our two posts led to Maree’s encore in the paint. Determined to return the senior to his rightful spot on the perimeter, we signed three power forwards for this fall. One got homesick and left school after a few days, and the second suffered a season-ending knee injury.

So Maree received another Broncs-style Extreme Makeover. But even when out-sized, as he was in a loss against mighty Ohio State on Dec. 3 when he scored a team-high 13 points, Maree never lets up. Off the floor, the business major carries a 3.4 GPA, has had four knee surgeries and is always first to volunteer for community service.

Sure, he isn’t the first big on my dream depth chart. But my job is often more about preparing student-athletes for an MBA than the NBA -- and Maree’s determination and unselfishness make him a can’t-miss prospect.

Follow Coach Marks on Twitter: @CoachRyanMarks