Having shed 20 pounds since August and incorporated a feathery mid-range game to his traditional post player’s skill set, Abou Ousmane’s stock is beginning to tip the high major scales. The 6-foot-9, 220-pound Class of 2020 prospect recently earned an offer from head coach Buzz Williams and Texas A & M.
Ousmane averaged 18 points and 12 boards during the Knights’ 5-0 start and showed the transcendent talent of a skilled interior banger during Scotland’s performance in the prestigious Prep National Showcase in New Haven, Conn. last month.
Williams was on hand in Connecticut to see the first top-100 commit during his stay there, the uber-clutch 2020 Putnam Science (CT) guard Hassan Diarra.
While there he stumbled upon Ousmane. The traditional, back to the rim big has garnered offers from Toledo, Fordham, Saint Louis, North Texas, Ohio, and several others since de-committing from Cleveland State following the axing of Dennis Felton last spring.
“Abou has lost about 20 pounds and is running the floor better than ever,” explained Scotland Campus’ assistant coach and Director of Player Development Sullivan Brown, who has been instrumental in not only the growth of Ousmane but 6-foot-9 Mohammed Wague and 6-foot-11 Eduardo Andre from London, England.
“He’s running the floor better than ever and has really transitioned into a mobile, rim to rim big. With him being lighter on his feet and also improving his offensive arsenal, it has definitely transferred his recruitment and helped him solidify himself as a high major guy.”
That increased offensive tool-set Brown references also includes a feathery hook from either hand. Ousmane has additionally developed a dependable 15-18 foot jumper. The Brooklyn native recently hit his first 3-pointer of the season during a 16-point performance during a thorough 120-59 mauling of Capital Christian (MD).
That game was a coming out party of sorts for another multi-layered big man in the aforementioned Mohammed Wague. Also a product of New York City via Africa, the Class of 2020 Wague has become more of an adept finisher. He’s an intriguing prospect due to his ability to put the ball on the floor like a guard and take rim protectors away from the paint with his mid-range touch.
“Mo has increased in all facets of his game and has been finishing through contact better than ever,” said Brown, who worked with similar threats in 6-foot-9 Karim Coulibaly (now at Pittsburgh) and 6-foot-10 Chris Maidoh (now a starter at Fairfield) en route to a program record 36-2 campaign and berth in the 2019 Prep National Championship game.
“He likes the day to day grind of getting better and has become more of a polished scorer inside.”
Wague recently earned offers from Howard, St. Bonaventure, and UMass. He scored 18 points and pulled down 15 boards during the aforementioned drubbing of Capital Christian (MD).
Similar to the aforementioned Coulibaly before him, Wague was originally a soccer player who didn’t get involved in basketball until his freshman year of high school.
His ability to develop a guard’s skill set and his presence as a fly-swatting rim-protector who utilizes his massive wingspan has enabled him to ooze of potential. He’s been working diligently at becoming more of a banger inside and shedding any rawness evident within his game.
With offers from Auburn, Mississippi State, and Houston on the table, the rapid emergence of Andre has been promising.
With the appealing size and wingspan tailor-made for the high major level, Andre has quickly developed his motor and ability to get above the rim and score. As a multi-positional defender and a lefty, he’s got unique attributes that render him a difficult matchup at this level.
Add in his mobility and his ability to thrive in the souped up, speedball attack head coach Chris Chaney is known to employ, The England native might wind up as one of the more highly-touted recruits of Scotland’s nucleus.
This core includes Iowa State signee Darlinstone Dubar, Norrance Tres Berry (Toledo, Tennessee, Bradley, LIU), Noble Crawford (LIU, UNC Greensboro, St. Bonaventure), as well as late-blossoming guards such as Jaeden Zackery and Terell Strickland.
Rosa Establishes New Single Game 3-Point Record At Central Point Christian Academy:
Class of 2020 Victor Rosa has established himself as one of the Florida area’s best shooters and one of the country’s deadliest catch-and-stick threats. The FGCU commit also possesses a bolt-quick release and smooth all-around game. The Central Point Christian Academy (FL) guard recently scored a game-best 37 points, on the strength of a school record 11 3-pointers, en route to a 71-53 thrashing of NFEI.
Rosa’s hot-shooting registered its presence on a national scale during the All American Jamboree in Tavares, FL back in October. During that exposure-heavy event, the Puerto Rico native shot a scalding 14-for-22 from beyond the arc in back to back games.
Rosa wasn’t the only major recruiting coup for FGCU head coach Michael Fly at CPCA. The program also gained a commitment from Class of 2020 point guard Luis Rolon, an elite level passer with the strength and know-how to transition his game instantly to the collegiate level.
Blauner Sparks St. Thomas More:
Former Ardsley (NY) star Zeke Blauner has been instrumental in sparking St. Thomas More (CT), most recently during two marquee matchups against national superpower Brewster Academy (NH) and Vermont Academy.
Against Brewster’s star-spangled lineup and Minnesota-signee Jamal Mashburn Jr., Blauner scored 16 points (5-for-6 FG, 3-4 3FG) in 15 minutes, winning the plus/minus handily. Blauner added three boards and supplied on-ball defensive pressure, collecting a pair of blocks and steals during a tight one-point loss to the reigning national champions.
The 6-foot-1 guard has always been a high percentage finisher with his knockdown game and ability to get out into the open floor and finish. He’s evolved into a more crafty threat with his shot creation and off the dribble arsenal.
This was evident during a win over Vermont Academy, in which he scored 16 points (6-for-10 FG, 3-6 3FG) and instigated a critical turnover with 14 seconds left for his third steal of the game. Blauner, whose pair of free throws iced the win with eight ticks remaining, added four rebounds and three steals in a significant two-way performance.
