Jason Hasson’s Pope John XXIII (N.J.) team is loaded with talent.
In addition to 2013 forward Jermaine Lawrence, who is down to St. John’s, Cincinnati and UNLV, and freshman point guard Bryce Aiken, whom we profiled here, the team also features 6-9 2015 forward Moustapha Diagne.
Diagne has recently added offers from Oregon State, George Mason, La Salle, Rider and Towson to go along with previous ones from West Virginia and Cleveland State. Cincinnati and Xavier recently watched him at the Hoop Group Tip-Off event.
“He’s going to be very good,” Hasson said. “I think the sky’s the limit for him as far as being a sophomore and knowing how to play.
“He had 24 rebounds [in his first game], 16 [in his second] and he’s been in foul trouble both games.
“We we get him out of foul trouble I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
For the season, he’s averaging 13 points and 7.3 rebounds, according to MaxPreps.com.
“Offensively, he’s got some polishing to do but he runs the floor, he’s very big and he’s very strong and he plays very hard,” Hasson said.
Given that Diagne and his team will play some showcase games this season against Hudson Catholic, Brooklyn South Shore and St. Benedict’s, it should provide more opportunities for him to make a name and get scouted.
Photo: NJ.com
