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PSA's
Brooks
signs
By Ron P. Coderre
Putnam Science Academy is sending a fourth member of its 2012-2013 team to a four-year college with the announcement by athletic director and basketball coach Tom Espinosa that Paul Brooks will be attending Worcester State University in September.
Dayshon Smith is attending Division I University of Dayton and Jemal Mosley will be playing at Division II University of New Haven. In February, Jonte Rutty committed to Division I Georgian Court University in Lakewood, N.J. Ugur Hortum, the 6-foot, 11-inch center from Istanbul, Turkey, is headed to Lewis and Clark Community College a Division I Junior College in Illinois.
Paul Brooks, who hails from Arlington, Mass., attended PSA as a post graduate student. During the past season his basketball skills improved with every game and in every aspect of the game. The 6-9 center-forward became a rebounding force for the 22-8 Mustangs. He led the team with seven caroms per contest, while averaging eight points a contest. His 64 percent field goal percentage and 43 blocked shots were also best on the team. He was selected to the all star team in the Northeast Prep Tournament, which was held at the conclusion of the season.
“Paul (Brooks) worked hard all season. From day one through our final contest there was considerable improvement in all aspects of his game. He’s definitely a sleeper and should fit in well at Worcester State, where his height will definitely help the team,” said Espinosa.
Espinosa should know what he’s speaking about when assessing Brooks’ future on the hardwood. Espinosa is a graduate of Worcester State, where he was basketball captain his junior and senior seasons. He knows the Lancers system and talent and said Brooks will be an impact player there someday in the near future.
In the final analysis, Brooks narrowed his choices down to two Division III schools, Salem State and Worcester before making his decision. Throughout the season he was looked at by more than 20 Division II and III colleges.
He’s the second Putnam Science Academy Mustang to attend Worcester State University, following in the footsteps of another postgraduate Michael Gittens who played for the Lancers.