By Ron P. Coderre

Less than two weeks prior to the start of the 2016-2017 basketball season the Putnam Science Academy Mustangs announced the late addition of big man Malik Ondigo to the roster.  The 6-foot, 10-inch, 210-pound Ondigo hails from El Mirage, Ariz.

The addition of Ondigo gives the Mustangs of coach Tom Espinosa additional strength in the middle as the team prepares for a run at the National Prep School Championship.  Ondigo, who played for coach Mark Schommer at Dysart High School last year, appears to be the final piece of the puzzle for this year’s edition of the Mustangs.

Ondigo comes to the Maple Street campus with impressive statistics.  As a senior at Dysart he averaged 25 points and 14 rebounds per game.  In addition he had four blocks a game to go with three steals a contest, proving his all-around ability at both ends of the court.

“We’re very excited to have Malik join our school.  He’s a good student, who is a hard worker on the basketball court.  We’re projecting a good deal of time for him in the ‘five slot’ for this year’s team,” said coach Espinosa.

This summer Ondigo, who carried a 3.8 GPA in the classroom as a senior, played AAU basketball for the Arizona Magic Elite team.

“Since arriving at the school, Malik has fit in well with the other members of the team.  He’s hitting the books and working hard in practice, as he adapts to New England,” added Espinosa.