By Ron P. Coderre

The city of New Orleans is known as “The Big Easy.”  As Putnam Science Academy prepares for the upcoming basketball season the Mustangs have their own version of “The Big Easy” but this version spells his name differently.  His name is Vincent Eze.

Eze, a 6-foot, 8-inch front court operator, fits the handle “The Big Eze” because he long and lean and possesses a rugged chiseled frame.  His physical characteristics and intensity on the court have made him a big man colleges have been looking at since his high school days at Notre Dame Green Pond High School in Pennsylvania.

The Putnam Science Academy post graduate arrived at a college selection Oct. 9 when he verbally committed to Manhattan College for the 2015 school year.  Next season, when Eze arrives on the Jaspers’ campus, it’ll be “The Big Eze” meets “The Big Apple.”

Eze, who is expected to fill the center spot for coach Tom Espinosa this season, is described as a “hard competitor who possesses relentless energy on both ends of the court.”  Eze runs the court well and is a rugged rebounder who has the ability to turn into an effective shot blocker.

Manhattan, which plays in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, is coached by Fran Masiello, who has turned the program into a winner.  Last season the NCAA Division I Jaspers won the MAAC on the way to posting 25 victories.  At the end of this year Manhattan will graduate only three seniors.  Eze will be joining a relatively young team, which should allow him to compete for extensive playing time.

“From what I’ve seen of Vincent in the preseason I believe he’s made a solid decision in selecting Manhattan.  They’ll be in need of some help on the inside and with his energy and athleticism I feel he can provide that to the team,” said Espinosa.

Playing in the MAAC, Eze, who recently ran a 6:01 mile in the Mustangs preseason run, will be competing against some familiar faces.  Three of his teammates at Putnam Science Academy have committed to MAAC schools for next season.  The Robinson twins, Aaron and Andrew will be playing at Quinnipiac University, and point guard Kealen Ives is headed to Rider University.