UMass Athletics
The Springfield Union-News
The Daily Hampshire Gazette
The Springfield Union-News
mherst, Mass. -- University of Massachusetts men's basketball coach Steve Lappas has signed a pair of players, Alassane Kouyate and Rashaun Freeman, to National Letters of Intent for the 2002-03 season. With today's announcement, Lappas has inked four standout preps for next year.
"We are excited that Alassane and Rashaun will join our program," Lappas said. "Both players are very athletic and will really strengthen our future frontline, which is being hit hard by graduation this year."
Kouyate, a 6-9 senior at Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, is originally fro Mali. As a sophomore at Medina Highland (Ohio) High School, he was a standout basketball and soccer player, earning all-Suburban honors in both sports and averaging 18 points on the hardwood for coach Fred Pollack. He then transferred to Walsh Jesuit, but had to sit out the season as a transfer student, although he was able to practice with coach Frank Lupica's team.
"Alassane (Kouyate) is a strong and athletic player, a true center," Lappas said. "He will really help us on the block."
As a junior at Schenectady (N.Y.) High School, Freeman averaged 15.1 points per game. He led Schenectady to the 2001 New York Class A state title, the school's second state crown in four years. The 6-8 Freeman tallied 18 points and nine rebounds as the Patriots beat Hempstead to claim the state title for coach Mark Sausville. He played his AAU ball for coach Jim Hart's Albany City Rocks, and led that team to the state's 2000 17's and 16's AAU championship.
"He's (Freeman) a four/three because he can play inside and on the perimeter, which makes him different from Alassane, who is really a five/four," Lappas said. "But like Alassane, Rashaun is strong and athletic."
Last week, Lappas received National Letters of Intent from 6-1 guard Michel Lasme (York, Pa.) and 6-9 forward Stephen Briggs (Houston, Texas).
MHERST - The University of Massachusetts men's basketball team closed out its recruiting for the year with the signing of two big men Wednesday, the final day of the early signing period.
Alasane Kouyate, a 6-foot-8 power forward/center from Mali who now lives in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and Rashaun Freeman, a 6-foot-9 forward from Schenectady (N.Y.) High School, both signed National Letters of Intent Wednesday.
Kouyate cited several factors in his decision to choose the Minutemen, including the business school, but emphasized his comfort level with coach Steve Lappas.
"Coach is really a great coach," Kouyate said. "I think they can help me become a better player."
"He's a strong kid, who's very physical and plays very hard," Lappas said. "He's athletic and he gives us another big kid that can play inside. I like guys that are athletic and versatile, and he certainly fits that. I like guys that can play around the basket and can step away."
Kouyate averaged 18 points per game as a sophomore at Medina High School, but had to sit out last year when he transferred to Walsh Jesuit High. He will be eligible again this year.
Kouyate was glad to have the recruiting process behind him.
"I'm so happy," he said. "Two weeks ago I was all messed up struggling to decide between UMass and Duquesne. Now I can relax, go to school, play basketball and have fun."
Kouyate said he has achieved the necessary combination of standardized test score and core-course grade point average to be eligible as a freshman.
According to Schenectady coach Mike Sausville, Freeman has a learning disability which will cause him to be an academic nonqualifier as a freshman. Sausville said he and Freeman were impressed with UMass' academic support system for learning disabled students.
"We felt that their academic support really fit into his needs," Sausville said. "The coaching staff really did their homework. We were very impressed with their commitment to him. They never balked at his academic situation."
Academics weren't Freeman's only reason for coming to Amherst.
"He was very impressed with his visit there," Sausville said. "The basketball situation is very good. He knows Coach Lappas's history."
Lappas said Freeman could play either forward spot in college.
"He's like a four/three (power forward/small forward) in a lot of ways," Lappas said. "He could play out on the perimeter and he could play inside. He can handle the ball and he's very strong physically, so he can do a lot of things."
"He's a tremendous passer," Sausville said. "He has a very good handle and a great touch for a guy who is 6-foot-9. He can hit the 20-footer if you need him to."
Freeman made his announcement at a 2:30 press conference.
"He had a UMass hat and was all smiles," Sausville said.
* * *
After an impressive performance last Friday that earned him Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week honors, UMass sophomore point guard Anthony Anderson will make his first career start Saturday at 7 p.m. against Marist, replacing freshman Kyle Wilson.
"Before the suspension, Anthony was going to start," Lappas said. "He was the starter the whole time, then the suspension came (for an undisclosed team rule violation), and I thought nothing had happened to warrant me going back to him. Now I think the way he's played, it merits him getting another chance."
Lappas said that he thinks Wilson can provide a spark off the bench.
"Maybe it will take a little of the heat off him," Lappas said. "He didn't start real good the last game. I've always liked having a guy that can come off the bench and give us a lift."
* * *
Saturday will be family day at the Mullins Center, as families can get four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas at the game for $50.
The ticket office's holiday weekend hours are from Friday at 2:30 p.m. through the duration of the women's basketball game Friday night against Rice (with its 7 p.m. start), and Saturday from 3 p.m. to game time.