Manhattan Jaspers, Steve Masiello Land Three 2014 Commitments … In One Day


Debby Wong-USA Today Sports

It’s always a great day for a head coach and their staff when a commitment rings in and pledges their decision. However, how do you think Manhattan Jaspers head coach Steve Masiello felt when not one, not two, but THREE prospects from the class of 2014 all committed to the program on Wednesday.

Now, that’s a good day for the Jaspers. Even more so, all three recruits are products of New York City, another big boost and consistent edge that Masiello has made clear in rebuilding the Manhattan program. He wants local kids and city players to be interested in playing close to home for Manahttan and Wednesday quickly turned into his best example of that philosophy.

It started with a pair of high school teammates on Wednesday when both Samson Akilo and Samson Usilo pledged their decisions to Manhattan. Akilo and Usilo are both natives of Nigeria and they both currently play at Nazareth H.S. (NY). Akilo is labeled as a 6-foot-8 forward, while Usilo is a back court contributor standing at 6-foot-4.

Later on that night, the Jaspers kept their momentum going by landing a third verbal commitment from 6-foot-7 forward, Calvin Crawford. An original native of Middleton, New York, Crawford will attend Connecticut prep school power St. Thomas More next season.

Talk about a recruiting overhaul for Manhattan. Masiello has done a terrific job in turning the Jaspers’ program around in just two short seasons and there is no doubt that the future at Manhattan is bright, especially after the team reached the MAAC championship game this past season.

 

Follow Paul Seaver on Twitter: @PaulSeaverRS

 


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