By Zach Smart
As one of the more unsung, underrated, and still relatively undiscovered prospects in the 2024 class, 6-foot-8 James Monroe HS forward Alhasan Jallow has prospered in a multi-layered role this season.
The Bronx native continues to evoke mismatches with his deep 3-point shooting. He has steadily made the mid range game a finer component of his evolving full package.
Jallow has shouldered the onus of leader on both ends of the floor, consistently sticking shots during moments heightened pressure while utilizing his skinny, broomstick-like long arms to burden, bother, and bewilder guards and close up passing lanes.
With the recruiting game’s dependence on the transfer portal and coaches waiting in the wings with scholarships, Jallow has been a late-blossoming recruit who has the potential to be a real steal at the next level.
“Jallow, he’s got a feel for the game that’s really coming together,” said Christopher “Glasses” Salgado. “He still needs to put some weight on, add some muscle. He can be a really high impact player at the Northeast Conference or the MAAC level. I call him a wing-forward. He’s very versatile. He can defend the 1-4, 1-5 at times.”
Not only does Jallow sit down on guards and defend multiple positions, he can be employed at multiple positions as well. He’ has tightened up his handle and polished up his play-making aptitude, transforming his game in becoming a willing passer. His jack of all trades style is evident in the numbers he’s put up this season.
Jallow is currently averaging 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists for Monroe, the PSAL “AAAA” program that’s registered a 15-8 overall record, going 11-3 in conference play.
Heavily anticipated games provide extra juice for the seasoned senior, who has been at Monroe all three seasons since the Covid-ravaged and Covid-truncated 2020-21 campaign.
During an out of state matchup against Pocono Mountain West, Jallow erupted for 27 points on a steady diet of 3-pointers, mid-range pull-ups, transition finishes, and proficiency at and above the rim.
He was entrenched in a battle with Adrian Brito, Pocono Mountain’s West high scoring 6-foot-6 wing who played for the Dominican Republic’s national team this summer, throughout that one. Against a Cardinal Hayes team rife with young Division-I talent, Jallow scored 18 points.
Jallow hit four 3-pointers and finished with 17 points during Monroe’s loss to Christ The King HS during the Public vs Catholic Schools Showdown at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.
Jallow scored 16 points, including the game-winner, to take down Nazareth HS. He is currently hearing from Manhattan and Long Island University-Brooklyn, now coached by legendary New York City point guard Rod Strickland. Jallow’s biggest attribute is an immeasurable intangible, one which cannot be gauged by any analytics system.
“One thing about Al is he has a tremendous heart” Salgado said.
“He’s a competitor. He wants to compete. He just cares about winning. He does whatever it takes to win– Scoring, defending, diving for that loose ball. Whatever it takes.”
