Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell continued to rebuild his roster with the addition of 6-foot-9 forward Issa Thiam on Monday.
Thiam initially committed to former Rutgers coach Eddie Jordan and then re-opened his recruitment after Jordan was fired.
Greg “Shoes” Vetrone, an assistant under Jordan and now in charge of player development under Pikiell, was the point man on Thiam.
“He’s committed to Rutgers,” Arlington Country Day coach Shaun Wiseman said by phone. “Coach Vetrone was instrumental in keeping that relationship with the former staff moving on, and Coach Pikiell coming in and keeping Shoes on board was a huge part of Issa’s commitment.”
Wiseman said Florida was also involved.
“If it would’ve opened up, there was a ton of suitors,” he said.
Thiam, who averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds in 10 game at Arlington Country Day, joins Roselle Catholic guard Matt Bullock and junior college forward Cândido Sá among the new players PIkiell’s staff has landed as it looks to rebuild the roster. He projects to be a rotation player behind Jonathan Laurent with the Scarlet Knights.
“He’s 6-9, he’s long, he’s athletic, he can defend three positions,” Wiseman said. “He can shoot it, he’s just gotta get stronger, man, but he has a huge upside.”
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