Hofstra head coach Mo Cassara continues to build his 2012 recruiting class with the signing of Darren Payen, a 6-foot-8 power forward from Hamden Hall (Conn.).
Payen also considered Rhode Island, Vermont, Northeastern, and St. Bonaventure.
“I picked Hofstra because it was the best fit for me,” Payen told SNY.tv. “It has a good combination of academics, location and it’s a mid-sized school so it’s not too big.
“And from the additions they’ve made to their team, their basketball program should make a jump in these next couple years.”
Payen joins Hofstra’s 2012 class of 6-8 forward Jimmy Hall (St. Anthony’s), 6-2 guard Dallas Anglin (Seton Hall Prep) and 6-6 forward Jordan Allen (Long Island Lutheran – redshirted).
“I’m going in as a wing 4/3 type player,” Payen said. “With my ability to shoot threes now, I can become a true wing player pending the improvement of my ball-handling. Also, I will have the opportunity to play right away there, probably coming off the bench my freshman year.”
The Pride also sat out several transfers: 6-8 wing Jamal Coombs-McDaniel (UConn), 6-2 guard Taran Bouie (Penn State), and 6-10 center Daquan Brown (Fresno State) last season.
Former Hawaii guard Shaquille Stokes also visited campus Tuesday, the same day former UConn AD Jeff Hathaway took over at Hofstra.
