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Diarra making
most of summer
PUTNAM — Hassan Diarra, a back-bone of Putnam Science Academy basketball, is taking part in the Div. 1 AAU Circuit, Nike EYBL, under the PSA Cardinals this summer. Diarra, 6-2, sat out last summer due to injury. He has helped form a powerhouse for the Cardinals who recently swept the weekend action to improve to 10-3.
Diarra has seen his game finally get recognized jumping up 25 spots in the ESPN Class of 2020 rankings to number 68 and high-major programs are taking a long look.
Two weeks ago, the EYBL Session II made its way to Indiana and Diarra had a stellar weekend averaging 10 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds which led to Indiana offering the gritty, 180-pound guard while he was in their backyard.
The Cardinals won 3 out of 4 including a 92-75 win over Pro Skills (Texas) where Diarra scored 18 points in the big win. It’s not always the scoreboard where Diarra is known to take-over the game as he leads the team in total steals and defensive rebounds on the EYBL Circuit. Hassan is a menace on the defensive end and crashes the glass grabbing 9 rebounds in back-to-back games at the start of May.
NYCHoops writer DeAnte’ Mitchell said: “You can look at a box score and see his contributions but the real joy is watching him play defensively. He plays with such passion and with so much to prove, that New York toughness.” In an interview with 247 Sports writer Evan Daniels, Diarra is seeing his recruitment expand, “It’s picking up a little bit, schools like Georgia, Texas Tech, VCU, Dayton, they’re all involved, so it’s going pretty well.”
According to 247 Sports, Hassan Diarra currently sits as the No. 16-point guard in the 2020 class and has several other high major offers including Rhode Island and just of a few days ago, St. Johns, which is located in Diarra’s hometown.
Hassan has yet to take any official visits but for now will focus on the remaining EYBL Circuit as the summer rolls on.
Josh Sanchas
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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