He’s an Aggie

Friday, October 18th, 2019

Putnam Science Academy and PSA Cardinals guard Hassan Diarra announced his verbal commitment to Texas A&M and head coach Buzz Williams on Friday afternoon.

Williams made Diarra his top priority shortly after arriving at Texas A&M from Virginia Tech and it paid off as the New York native ultimately selected the Aggies over the likes of Indiana, Georgia, and numerous others.

“I just feel like I built a good relationship with Coach Buzz Williams,” Diarra said. “I felt like a priority for them. I could fit into their system and their style of play and the way that they play. I just felt comfortable and I trust Coach Buzz.”

Williams recruited Diarra personally, without delegating it to his assistants, and went the extra mile in the process by also developing relationships with Diarra’s family, traveling to UConn to meet with his brother (Mamadou Diarra), and arriving at Putnam Science shortly after midnight on the first day of the recruiting period.

“That showed I’m really a priority to them and I’m their guy,” Diallo said. “He told me they wanted to see me first. He didn’t want to be like any of the other coaches. He didn’t need to watch me play.”

Diarra, who is currently the second ranked prospect in New England’s class of 2020, is a big, physical guard with a terrific motor. He competes and plays as hard as any prospect in the region but has also dramatically increased his skill level within the last 15 months.

While he’s best known for his ability to attack in the open floor and play through contact, Diarra is now also a threat to play on or off the ball and make shots off the dribble. He’s equally impactful on the defensive end and is also an excellent perimeter rebounder.

He joins a Texas A&M class that already includes former Proctor Academy big man Jonathan Aku as well as swingman Hyaden Hefner.

Below are some of his highlights from the recent EYBL season.