Quinnipiac Keeps Prep Product in CT
Quinnipiac scored their first commitment in the class of 2011 late this weekend when Zaid Hearst made a verbal commitment following an official visit to the school’s campus.
Hearst made his debut in New England last season, arriving at the Salisbury School as a junior and earning All Western New England nods in just his first season in the region.
The talented guard continued to standout this summer, running with Mid-Atlantic Select, and starring at both the New England Elite 75 Showcase and Super 16 Showcase. By the time the summer had come to an end, the Maryland native had picked up nine division I scholarship offers with interest from several more.
Despite his long list of potential suitors, he only visited Quinnipiac’s campus officially and didn’t hesitate to pull the trigger when given the opportunity.
“They’re a winning program. That’s really the number one thing,” Hearst told the New England Recruiting Report. “The coach’s resume is off the charts. He knows what it takes to be a winner and if he’s recruiting me then I could win at that level too.”
Playing locally in Connecticut, Hearst was able to see the Bobcats play quite a bit last year and that only helped to reinforce his opinion of Bobcat head coach Tom Moore.
“Last year watching them on TV playing Robert Morris in the championship game,” he said, “it showed he could build a program.”
A powerful and versatile perimeter player with a terrific motor, Hearst says he is hoping to make his presence felt from day one on the job in the NEC.
“The coaches think I can definitely make an impact right away,” he said. “They like my versatility because I can play the one, two, or the three and I can guard the one, two, or three too.”
Offensively, Hearst has proven he can put points on the board in high volume and although he is known primarily as a driver, he believes his jump shot to be a bit of a secret weapon.
“People say I can’t shoot but that’s actually one of the strengths of my game,” he said.
Ultimately, Hearst’s biggest strength is the number of ways he can impact a game as he defends well, scores in a variety of ways, and creates offense for his teammates. Beyond that he is a tough competitor, who plays hard, and has a terrific motor.
Zaid Hearst