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Ousmane Drame Signs with Quinnipiac
THOMPSON --- Marianapolis postgrad Ousmane Drame has committed to play basketball at Division I Quinnipiac University next year. Drame recently signed his letter of intent. Teammate Zach Chinanuma will head to Boston University.
Before coming to Marianapolis, the 6-foot-7 Drame played in Boston for Roxbury’s New Mission High Titans, where was a key contributor in the team’s Division 4 state championship last year. This summer he played with the Boston Warriors AAU club, before coming to MPS, where he drew the attention of numerous college programs. What makes Drame unique is how new he is to the game. A native of New Guinea, a small country in Africa, Drame never played basketball, or even watched it on TV, until just two years ago. According to New England Recruiting Report (NERR), Drame is ranked 36th in New England and 11th in the state.
In a NERR article, his former coach at New Mission, Cory McCarthy weighed in on his decision, and said, “Quinnipiac got an absolute steal. In two years, he has gone from a kid who never played basketball, or even watched it on TV, to a guy who could be a centerpiece of a Division I program. It’s almost a miracle that a kid can pick up the game that fast.”
Drame also has overcome a condition called with Oswood-Schlatter Disease, which causes debilitating knee pain in growing athletes. While he has not had a flare up since coming to MPS, the choice to pursue a PG year was in part due to the illness. “The time he has to play here will refine his skills, and give him time to fully put the disease behind him,” said Marianapolis Head Coach Andrew Vitale.
“What I’ve seen so far is a guy who can do it all – rebound, block, shoot outside,” said Vitale. “His stature alone is a strong presence for the team. We will look to lean on him for leadership defensively and offensively. I expect him to make his presence felt on both ends of the court.”
Of Quinnipiac, Drame said, “It’s a beautiful school, a good academic school, and it’s closer home than many of the other schools that were recruiting me.”
Zach Chionuma Signs With BU
Marianapolis senior Zach Chionoma signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Boston University next year.
A native of Dewitt, N.Y., Chionuma transferred to Marianapolis midway through his junior year, and was a key player in the school’s trip to the finals for the Class B NEPSAC Finals last year, being named honorable mention.
The 6-foot-4 shooting guard is ranked 27th in New England and 7th in the state by New England Recruiting Report (NERR). “Zach has worked hard on his shooting consistency, is a strong ball handler and offensively is among the best players we’ve had,” said Vitale, who has watched Zach apply himself through off-season workouts and spending the summer on the AAU circuit. “Everywhere he went he got better, which is evident by the offers he got from colleges,” he added.
Of Boston University, Chionuma said, “It was the perfect fit both academically and athletically. The program is on the rise basketball-wise and the school’s academics speak for themselves.”