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Another week, seemingly another commitment announcement.
Blake Barkley and Miles Rose last week became the latest PSA men’s prep basketball players to announce their college intentions, the former choosing Northwestern University and the latter heading off to St Bonaventure.
“It’s a pretty good time to be a Mustang,” coach Tom Espinosa said. “Guys have been taking visits and feel good about them, so it makes sense to make it official.”
Barkley, a 6-foot, 9-inch wing from West Virginia who is in his first year at PSA, said he didn’t really know much about the Big Ten school before his visit a few weeks back. But when he returned to PSA, it was apparent the visit was enlightening in many ways.
“It’s obviously a strong academic school; it’s got strong basketball; it’s just the right fit,” Barkley said. “The visit was really good. I really liked what I saw and heard. I definitely had a rush of energy and a good feeling. Seeing everything just put it all on the spot.”
Espinosa is looking forward to watching Barkley put his game on display. At his size, he’ll cause matchup problems because he can shoot it so well but also put the ball on the floor and get to the basket. But it could be the intangibles that help set him apart.
“He’s a really smart basketball player,” Espinosa said. “He’s really going to help us against zones and junk defenses. He’s so smart, he’ll know where to find creases and back doors and go get easy buckets.”
It should be game on for Rose as well. Now in his third year with the Mustangs (he joined midway through the 2020-21 season), he is showing all signs that this is his time. Playing with confidence that eluded him for his first season-and-a-half, the 6-4 attacking guard looks like a different player.
“I trusted the work I was putting in,” Rose said. “I’m ready for the role and to be a bigger piece. I’ve just been working and I’m glad to see it all pay off with St. Bonaventure. It takes a lot of pressure off me so I can focus on winning again.
“When I went on my visit, it was like a family atmosphere. They kept everything straight with me. They had a plan for me. I really felt comfortable there.”
Rose will become the fourth Mustangs player to play for the Bonnies, a group that includes Barry Evans, who was Rose’s teammate last year.
Barkley and Rose join Connor Dubsky (Rhode Island) and Tarique Foster (Virginia Commonwealth) as Mustangs who have announced their college commitments.
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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