By Ron P. Coderre

Putnam Science Academy basketball coach Tom Espinosa recently announced the arrival of his final recruit for the upcoming 2014-2015 hoop season.  The Mustangs received word that Dondre Rhoden from Ridgefield Park Sr. High School in New Jersey will spend a post-graduate season on the Maple St. campus.

Rhoden is a strapping 6-foot, 5-inch player who is capable of playing bigger than his size.  He comes to Putnam with three solid years of varsity high school experience under his belt.  A player capable of scoring points, Rhoden is most noted for his rebounding ability.

“Dondre Rhoden is an undersized big man who works extremely hard.  He’s strong and physical, a quality this year’s team needs to go along with the group of guards who have committed,” said Espinosa.

As a senior, Rhoden was selected First Team Bergen County by the area high school coaches.  The Newark Star Ledger named him a 2nd team Bergen County pick.  He was also named to New Jersey Hoops All Rebounder 2nd team.  Bergen County, located outside of New York City, is a hotbed of high school basketball, producing a number of players who move on to the Division I collegiate ranks.   

As a junior at Ridgefield Park, Rhoden averaged 15.7 points and 11 rebounds per game.  He also surpassed the 1000 point plateau during his high school career.  During his three seasons on the high school hardwood he turned in some huge rebounding performances.  He’s had a number of games where he corralled more than 20 caroms.

“In addition to Rhoden’s great rebounding ability the thing that attracted us to him and him to us was his positive attitude.  He’s committed to the team concept and appears well suited to fit in with our other recruits,” said Espinosa.

Rhoden, who is ranked among New Jersey Hoops top 75 seniors, joins previously recruited players Tim Quashi, Kaelen Ives, Andrew and Aaron Robinson, Brendan Wagner, Vincent Eze and Taylor Smith.  The Mustangs also return 6-8 Mamadou Dhiarra from last year’s 29-5 team that was ranked 5th in the country in the final prep poll.