Yags’ Point Forward - Coaches Speaking French

New England Recruiting Report | Thursday, May 19th, 2016

Looking at their roster heading into this spring's Nike EYBL Circuit, it was easy to envision Hasahn French's role for a loaded PSA Cardinals squad. When French wasn't benefiting from the vision of point guard Quade Green, who would find him for easy buckets, he would clear the lane of opposing frontcourt players with delusions of grabbing an offensive rebound, while teammate Mohamed Bamba skied high above the rim for the board.

You could've looked at rosters throughout the EYBL and made similar assertions about how certain players' skills would be highlighted playing alongside teammates meant to compliment them perfectly. What makes French's situation so unique is that he bought into his role immediately, without hesitation, and happily accepted wins as the fruits of his labor rather than individual statistics.

The result of putting team first: PSA (10-1) stands in 1st place within their EYBL division, while French has received more than a dozen new scholarship offers from high major programs like Minnesota, Arizona State, Marquette, Temple, and Rutgers.

As is usually the case over the course of any season, an injury forced the selfless French to assume a larger role this past weekend in Hampton, VA. With Bamba sidelined with a sprained ankle, PSA asked French to help fill the void left by the nation's #1 prospect (in this writer's humble opinion) who had been leading the EYBL in rebounds at almost 14 per game while scoring an efficient 12.7 points per contest as well.

French transitioned seamlessly back into the role of high volume rebounder and diverse scoring threat that was expected of him during the prep season at Commonwealth Academy. French stepped to the forefront throughout the weekend, averaging 14 points and 12 rebounds while leading his team to a 4-0 record.

French set the tone on Friday night with a 12/12 double-double against the NY Lightning. He came back Saturday morning with a 16-point, 14-rebound effort against Elfrid Payton Elite and capped off his weekend by putting up 16 points and grabbing 12 boards in an over time win over an Arkansas Wings team on Sunday.

While those numbers may have opened some eyes nationally, nobody within the New England area was surprised by the production. It was another example of French simply doing what he was being asked to do.

"Hasahn's versatility is so underrated," said Commonwealth Academy coach Tony Bergeron. "He's the best defensive rebounder I've ever coached. Hands down. He also shot over 40% from 3 during the season. So you've got an explosive 6'7" 230lb beast, who's grabbing defensive rebounds on one end because he refuses to be beaten to a ball and uses his 6'11" wingspan to his advantage. Then he can take you off the dribble on the wing or hit a 3 if you give him too much space on the other end. Good luck defending that. Once he starts attacking the offensive glass with the same tenacity he'll be unstoppable."

More offers from powerhouse programs are sure to roll in but don't expect French's attitude or selflessness to change due to the heightened recognition. The young man is truly special in that he values hard work and, more importantly, the success of his teammates who battle alongside him.

This was never more evident than this weekend, as Bamba celebrated French's success on the boards and his improved mark at the free throw line as if it were his own. The intellectual Bamba undoubtedly knows where his bread is buttered, understanding that French has a lot to do with his own personal efficiency and success this season. Likewise for French, who can play the role he's so comfortable with due to Bamba's extraordinary talents. Yet, if you asked either player, they'd point to Green as the engine that runs the team or Brandon Randolph's true shooting stroke as the reason for their success. Coach Terrence Williams has created a true brotherhood within the PSA program and their individual and team success is truly a reflection of that.

So as the offers role in and Hasahn French's national reputation blows up over the summer, it's comforting to know that his ego won't become inflated along with it.

EYBL News and Notes

-Like the prep season preceding the circuit, where the best teams usually featured groups of unselfish young men who enjoy playing hard FOR -not just with- one another and a number of players can step up on any given night, the current EYBL standings have a specific brand of team at the top. The aforementioned PSA Cardinals embody those traits at a dangerously elite level and are in 1st place in the C Division.

So does Howard Pulley, who has a 3-game lead in the B Division and are the lone undefeated team left in the EYBL, thanks to a diverse group of stars who compliment one another perfectly.

While some have suggested that they've gone without a loss using smoke and mirrors, when you watch this group play it's apparent that they probably have as much fun on long bus rides and at the team hotel as they do on the court. Winning can be a cure-all for a team's ailments at the end of the day and put smiles on the faces of players who may have different feelings win. But this Howard Pulley group hasn't been solely frontrunners by any means and their collective attitude has remained consistent regardless of what the scoreboard suggests. They received tremendous individual efforts from Gary Trent Jr and Brad Davison on Saturday, enabling them to pull off come-from-behind victories against both the Southern Stampede and Cal Supreme, a team that features DeAndre Ayton, Brandon McCoy, and Cassius Stanley, all top-10 prospects in their respective classes. To make their victory over Cal Supreme even more impressive, Howard Pulley did so without star point guard Tre Jones, who was sidelined with a hand injury.

While the trio of Jones, Davison, and Trent Jr. will garner the most interest from major college programs, Howard Pulley has their own version of PSA's French in chiseled 6'9" big man Theo John. Against a Cal Supreme frontline featuring the 7-foot duo of Ayton and McCoy, John battled admirably and finished with 12 points (5-5 FG, 2-2 FT), 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. Those numbers are tremendous for a big man who doesn't have need any offensive plays run specifically for him in order to collect them, but it was his defense on the opposing stars that was so impressive. John never allowed Ayton to get comfortable on the low block, forcing 2017's current #1 prospect to catch the ball away from the paint and making him earn his points from the line if an easy basket was imminent. At the end of the day, Davison hit three free throws with 0.9 seconds left and his 37-point (13-22 FG, 6-7 3-pt), 9-assist, 8-rebound performance stole the show, but it was John's willingness to do the dirty work that kept Cal Supreme from running away in the second half.

The first player to hug Davison after he made his third free throw attempt? It was Theo John, who had fouled out moments prior while battling Ayton for a rebound. Meanwhile, Jones was smiling from ear to ear and Trent Jr. was speaking to his coach about the defensive set they were going to run on the ensuing play. Those are the types of moments that make an 8-hour drive from New Britain, CT to Hampton, VA very rewarding.

- NY Rens and Putnam Science guard Hamidou Diallo put together another productive weekend, averaging 17.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists as The Rens went 2-2. Diallo and Christ the King's Jose Alvarado give The Rens a New York City backcourt that opponents hate but guys like myself can't help but love. The duo doesn't hesitate to get in their opponent's face when it's necessary and already have the next level ability to back off at the perfect moment, forcing the referee to believe they're simply defending themselves. Once their opponents can only think about retaliation, Diallo and Alvarado have them at their disposal and it's lights out from there. When CTK's schedule comes out this winter, inner city New England fans should make seeing Alvarado a priority.

- While we're on the NY Rens, check out the video of their Anti-Gun Violence Campaign on ESPN. Andy Borman's team is putting together something special in the city and the video featuring Mustapha Heron is worth the look.

- Northfield-Mt Hermon and Albany City Rocks sharpshooter Andrew Platek continued filling up the EYBL box scores even though his shot wasn't falling at it's normal rate in Hampton. Platek averaged 10.5 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2.5 steals over the weekend. To put his numbers into some perspective, Platek went 4-19 from 3 during the Hampton Session and is still shooting 43% from beyond the arch.

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