Both immediate and later for discussion. Another recruiting story on Hamady N’Diaye.
“Hamady N’Diaye had a great visit to Pittsburgh,” stated Stoneridge Preparatory School Head Basketball Coach Mike Mahoney. “He loved everything about it, especially the facilities. He thought their facilities were incredible.”
Hamady N’diaye has 25 scholarship offers. He has narrowed his choices to Pitt, Rutgers and Miami (FL). Scout.com ranks Hamady the 18th best center in the class of 2006. He has been a transient player moving from New Jersey to Florida to California.
“They really showed him a good time. He spent time with the coaches and players. I know they took him to a football practice and he thought that was really special.”
When asked about his impressions of Head Coach Jamie Dixon. Coach Mahoney replied, “He felt very comfortable with the entire staff. Of course he liked Coach Dixon. What’s not to like? He’s a great guy and Hamady enjoyed the time he spent with him.”
N’Diaye was expected to hold a press conference next week to announce his decision. Apparently his decision could come sooner than expected. “Hamady is going to sit down with his parents on Friday. He could have a decision at that time. I assume his decision will occur within the next day or so.”
As far as I understood things, Pitt only has one scholarship left to offer. N’Diaye may or may not have been formally offered, and Pitt is still waiting for word from Tyler Smith.
Smith and his family indicated before the start of the late signing period that they were going to take their time. So far there has been nothing to suggest he is going to announce in the next couple of days or even week.
Two players with different timetables for deciding where they are headed. If N’Diaye wants to come to Pitt, does Coach Dixon take him and give up on Smith? Or do they try to keep N’Diaye from deciding while waiting for Smith or simply take the risk to wait on Smith?
This weekend at Pitt is an AAU Tournament. Pitt gets to put its facilities on display for some top national talent.
This weekend, Western Pennsylvania basketball fans will get an up-close glimpse at the nation’s top-ranked junior when O.J. Mayo plays for the D1 Greyhounds in the Pittsburgh JamFest 17-and-under AAU tournament at Pitt.
Mayo, a 6-foot-5 guard from Cincinnati’s North College Hill High School, is a two-time Mr. Basketball in Ohio who is regarded as a future No. 1 overall NBA Draft choice.
“It’s exciting that he’s coming,” said Pryor, a sophomore swingman from Jeannette who plays for the Pittsburgh JOTS. “Him and his teammate (Billy Walker), they can play. It’s like NBA players playing in high school. I’ve watched him so many times. He just dominates people. It’s unbelievable. I want to play against him.”
Pryor might get his chance if the JOTS — which also features Schenley’s DeJuan Blair, Jamaal Bryant and D.J. Kennedy and Aliquippa’s Herb Pope — reach Sunday’s 4 p.m. final at Petersen Events Center.
Tickets for the game are $7, and if you are a fan of spotting people in the stands, this should be loaded with NCAA basketball coaches. The event is approved by the NCAA, so the coaches can attend. They just can’t have any direct contact with the players. They will be there with the express goal of being seen by the kids.
