The commitments just keeping rolling in for Rhode Island head coach Dan Hurley and his staff.
Hassan Martin , a 6-foot-7, 196-pound power forward from Curtis High School on Staten Island, verbally pledged to the Rams Sunday, one day after Michigan point guard E.C. Matthews pledged to the school.
Martin picked Rhody over Providence, St. Joe’s and Iowa State.
“They made me feel comfortable and I bonded with the team,” Martin told SNY.tv. Sunday after a weekend visit that also included Christ the King shooting guard Jon Severe. “It was fun. I like the campus a lot and they show me a lot of love.”
Martin played just five high school games last season before dislocating tendons in his left middle finger.
“That was the worst point in my life,” Martin said.
But then he raised his recruiting stock tremendously by playing this summer with New Heights, where he was seen by many Division 1 coaches.
“That helped my recruitment a lot,” Martin said. “If I wouldn’t have played, I wouldn’t have gotten [any offers]. Playing with them helped me a lot.”
“His rise has been pretty ridiculous. I think he’s a kid who has a chance to become a pro,” New Heights coach Chris Alesi told SNY.tv. “He’s a little under-rated but he represents everything that’s right with AAU basketball. He was on his way last year to really becoming a major Division 1 recruit as a high school player [before the injury].”
Alesi said Martin is currently a power forward who can step out a little bit, but is on his way to becoming a three down the road.
“He’s a four but down the road he could become a three,” Alesi said.
Said Martin: “Coach Hurley said I’ll be the perfect spot for the three. My length and athleticism will really help them.”
