Prep Profile – Putnam Science Academy

New England Recruiting Report | Thursday, September 6th, 2012

Putnam Science Academy may not yet be an official member of the NEPSAC, but there is no denying that they are a rising prep power in the New England region.  

Now in his seventh season at the helm of the program, head coach Tom Espinosa has not only his most talented roster yet, but also his most experienced.  

It begins with Dayshon Smith, who will be returning to PSA for his second season after a breakout summer during the July evaluation period.  

The six-foot-three guard played primarily off the ball a year ago, but is expected to slide over to the point and run the show this season.  

His well documented transition to the point guard position is also a big reason behind his lengthy list of college suitors.  This week alone Smith is planning to take an unofficial visit to Providence on Saturday before entertaining coaches from Pittsburgh, Illinois, Richmond, Drexel, St. Bonaventure, and Dayton during open gyms.  

Butler, who already plucked one New England star in Andrew Chrabascz, is the latest school to express interest according to Espinosa.  

Smith’s supporting cast includes a group of six post-graduates, including four from the state of New York, all of whom project capable of playing important roles this year for Putnam Science.  

One of the biggest challenges in adding so many new faces is trying to develop continuity, but guard Jemal Mosley and forward Jonte Rutty are two guys who already have plenty of chemistry together after starring with the BC Eagles AAU program.  

Joel Angus and Mairega Clarke are two other post-graduate forwards who have the potential to make immediate contributions.  Angus comes to Putnam Science by way of Boys and Girls High School in New York while Clarke is a product of Holy Cross High School.  

In the middle, PSA will depend on a one-two punch of Ugur Hortum and Paul Brooks.  

Hortum is a highly skilled six-foot-eleven center from Turkey who Espinosa calls the team’s best shooter (which is high praise given Smith’s well known prowess from behind the three-point line), while Brooks is a native of Arlington, Massachusetts who made his debut on the exposure circuit this season with the Metro Boston AAU program.  

Put it all together and this year’s Putnam Science team has all the pieces in place to make some major noise in New England.  They have a clear star and go to player in Dayshon Smith, more depth than ever before with a solid seven man rotation, plenty of experience with seven fifth year players, and more sheer talent than the program has ever seen.