Putnam Science Academy inducts third Hall of Fame Class
By Ron P. Coderre
The National Prep School Champion Putnam Science Academy Mustangs inducted the 2024 Hall of Fame Class June 7.
In what Athletic Director and Head Coach Thomas Espinosa noted is “one of the most talented group of players in the history of the school,” the Class of 2024 was comprised of six players, one contributor and the team of 2017-2018. The players inducted were: Hassan Diarra, Tyson Etienne, Osun Osunniyi, Kyle Lofton, Jose Perez and Daniel Upchurch. Donald Cushing (who has served as Head of School) was inducted as a Contributor. The newest inductees bring the total number of players to 14, two coaches, three teams and four contributors.
Hassan Diarra, recognized as the sparkplug of coach Danny Hurley’s UConn’s Huskies, joins his brother Mamadou Diarra of the Class of 2021 as a Hall of Fame member. Hassan Diarra led the Mustangs to National Championships in 2018 and 2020 prior to moving on to Texas A&M for two years and his final three years at UConn, where he was part of the 2023 and 2024 NCAA National Championship teams. He’s currently the 2nd leading scorer in PSA history (1469 points in 118 games), all-time career assist leader with 470, and 2nd all-time steal leader with 193 thefts.
Tyson Etienne, currently a member of the NBA Brooklyn Nets, was a prominent member of the 2019 Prep National Final Four team that posted a 38-2 record. Following his time in Putnam, Etienne moved on to Div. I Wichita State University where he was recognized as first-team American Athletic Conference and AAC Co-Player of the Year. He ranks in the top-ten at PSA in single season scoring (571 points) and three-pointers made (80).
Kyle Lofton, led PSA to its first National Prep Championship (2017-2018), prior to moving on to four outstanding years at St. Bonaventure and a season at the University of Florida. He’s in the Mustangs’ top-10 in career and single season assists (241) and career steals (77). Lofton currently plays professionally in Germany.
Daniel (Danny) Upchurch holds the school’s single game assist record (14), which he accomplished twice in his career. He’s also recognized in many of the schools scoring and assists categories. He played two years on the collegiate level at Charleston Southern University and also at the University of New Haven. He played on the professional level in the country of Georgia. He’s currently employed by the State of Connecticut working with underprivileged individuals in the Bridgeport area.
Osun Osunniyi, who was unable to attend because his professional team was playing in the finals in Germany, had a brilliant four-year career at St. Bonaventure University prior to concluding his college eligibility at Iowa State University. Osunniyi led PSA to its 1st National Prep Championship as part of the 2017-2018 team and was named National Tournament MVP. Known for his rugged play in the middle, he holds the school record for taking 31 charges. He’s also among the leaders in career blocks at PSA.
Jose Perez, who ranks in the top-ten in many categories at PSA, went on to a college career at five schools. Perez initially went to Gardner Webb University and ended his vagabond collegiate career at Arizona State. In between he had stints at Manhattan, Marquette University and West Virginia University. He played professionally in Puerto Rico.
Donald Cushing enters the Hall of Fame as a contributor. He became the first PSA Head of School (2015-2020) and returned in 2023. A collegiate player in his day, “Cush” starred at Worcester State University, where he garnered hoop notoriety that enabled him to be elected into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. A huge fan of the PSA basketball program Cushing is known on campus as “The Closer” for his ability in assisting with recruitment. He’s the father-in-law of oach Tom Espinosa.
The 2017-2018 basketball team posted a 38-4 record on its way to the school’s first national Championship. They finished the season ranked #1 in the country. The team saw nine players move on to Division I and two to Division II. Nine players from the team went on to play professionally and two members of the coaching staff moved on to positions on the College Div. I level.
“Seeing these guys return and recognizing all they’ve accomplished, not only on the basketball court, makes me very proud to see the type of men they are. They definitely are models for the current players and for those who will follow in their footsteps,” said Espinosa.
The initial Putnam Science Academy Hall of Fame Class of 2018 was comprised of former players, 7-foot Rundell Mauge, Enes Ulukaya, Taquan Zimmerman, and University of Dayton standout Dayshon “Scoochi” Smith as well as contributors coach Tom Espinosa, Ronald P. Coderre, Bryan Sailor and the 2013-2014 team. The Class of 2021 included former NBA player Hamidou Diallo, UConn Director of Player Personnel Mamadou Diarra, and Quinnipiac University standouts, twin brothers Aaron and Andrew Robinson. Also in the class were contributors coach Josh Scraba and Kenneth Chauvin and the 2015-2016 team.
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Previous inductees to the PSA Basketball Hall of Fame, from left: Mamadou Diarra (UConn Director of Basketball Operations), Ronald P. Coderre (contributor), and coach Tom Espinosa and Class of 2024 inductee, UConn standout and two-time NCAA National Champion Hassan Diarra.