Last week’s burglary scandal cast a pall over Hofstra basketball that likely will be reflected on the court this season.
The black eye for the program, though, is doubtful to extend to recruiting, based on the reaction head coach Mo Cassara and his staff have received from potential recruits, coaches and their families.
Once news spread of Hofstra players Shaquille Stokes, Dallas Anglin, Jimmy Hall and Kentrell Washington being arrested for allegedly stealing more than $10,000 worth of laptop computers, iPads and other items from fellow students, Cassara’s phone was flooded with text messages, calls and emails of support.
“It speaks about our staff and the relationships we have all over the country,” Cassara said.
Many of the players the Pride have zeroed in on — such as Brooklyn wing Richard Williams of Vermont Academy and Jaaron Simmons, an elite point guard from Archbishop Alter in Ohio — told The Post the burglary mess has not changed their minds about the program in the least.
“As long as [they] get the right people in there, high-character people, I don’t think they’ll have another situation like that,” said Simmons, who is strongly considering Hofstra, along with Wichita State and Western Michigan.
The 6-foot-4 Williams, who holds a series of mid-major offers, said Hofstra is “definitely a school I can see myself going to.”
“I know the coaching staff are good people,” Williams said. “They’re all about doing the right things.”
Long Island Lutheran coach John Buck, whose former player Jordan Allen is a redshirt freshman at Hofstra, echoed the sentiment.
“I do trust the coaching staff over there tried to bring in the right guys, tried to teach them the right things, but unfortunately they can’t monitor them 24/7,” Buck said.
Though the status of the four players is uncertain, their returns are unlikely, which increases the importance of this year’s recruiting class. It also creates an opportunity for prospective recruits to play right away, always a selling point when a player picks a school.
FOOTBALL
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