Compiled by Paul Gotham
Counting down to tipoff and previewing the incoming freshmen of the MAAC with a look at the first-year players of the Manhattan Jaspers. The Jaspers finished 25-8 (15-5/ MAAC) including taking the 2014 MAAC championship. Manhattan eventually fell to Louisville, 71-64 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Steve Masiello and his staff welcome four freshmen to campus: Samson Akilo, Calvin Crawford, Samson Usilo and Zane Waterman.
Samson Akilo Fr. F 6-8, 210 Lagos, Nigeria/ Nazareth (NY)
Played three years of basketball at Nazareth High School in Brooklyn … averaged 10 points and 11 rebounds per game as a junior … teamed with Jasper classmate Samson Usilo to help Nazareth capture the CHSAA A title in 2013 following a 22-5 regular season … earned second team All-CHSAA honors in 2013.
Calvin Crawford Fr. F 6-8, 205 Middletown, NY/ Valley Central – St. Thomas More
Played four years of basketball at Valley Central High School … played a prep year at St. Thomas More (Conn.) … first team all-league as a senior at Valley Central … averaged 23 points and nine rebounds per game as a senior.
What they’re saying about Calvin Crawford – Steve Keller/ The National Recruiting Report: “He is long and thin, may need some physicality. He’s got a chance to get above people and score.”
Samson Usilo Fr. G 6-4, 205 Lagos, Nigeria/ Nazareth (NY)
Played three years at Nazareth High School in Brooklyn … averaged 20 points and five rebounds per game as a junior … teamed with Manhattan College classmate Samson Akilo to lead the Kingsmen to the CHSAA A title in 2013 … earned first team all-league honors after his junior year … was voted the league’s most valuable player … Jordan Brand Classic all-star game representative … ranked among nation’s top recruits by ESPN.
What they’re saying about Samson Usilo – Allen Rubin/ Hoop Scoop: “He’s a terrific athlete. Loves to go to the basket and dunk over everybody. He is a decent mid-range shooter and needs to work on his three-point shot.”
Zane Waterman Fr. F 6-9, 220 Fayetteville, NC/ Fayetteville Academy
Played high school basketball at Fayetteville Academy and Robert B. Glenn High School … led his team to a 19-8 record as a senior … averaged 25.9 points and 11.7 rebounds as a junior, leading his team to an 18-9 record … recorded 18 double-doubles and was named to the NCISAA 2-A all-state team … was rated the No. 14 senior in North Carolina by Phenom Hoop Report.
What they’re saying about Zane Waterman – Jamie Shaw/ Phenom Hoop Report: “Waterman has deep range, well beyond the three point line and excels in pick and pop situations. He has a lot of grit and ‘want to’ in the paint.”
Steve Keller/ The National Recruiting Report: He’s a really intriguing guy. He has good size and can shoot on the wing. He has fair speed and can put it on the floor a little bit. He’s got some talent.”
Allen Rubin/ Hoop Scoop: “He’s a good, smart player. Good face-up. Shoots well from 18 feet and in. Good rebounder. Doesn’t try to do anything he can’t do, plays within his limitations.”
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