Sports

RECRUITING CONFIDENTIAL: Staten Island star tries to raise college stock by playing AAU for first time

A few weeks ago, Osa Izevbuwa played in the PSAL Class A championship game.

That contest pales in comparison to the games the fully qualified and uncommitted McKee/Staten Island Tech senior will play in over the next month.

It has more to do with the spectators — Division I basketball coaches — than the actual significance of the games as Izevbuwa gets his first taste of AAU basketball and the live recruiting period.

One of the city’s top scorers — the explosively skilled 6-foot-3 guard averaged 25 points for McKee/Staten Island Tech this season — Izevbuwa is without a scholarship offer, though he has sporadically heard from Hofstra, Canisius, Quinnipiac and Marist.

“It’s very frustrating, especially the year I had I was thinking I would get offered,” he said. “I feel I can do the same thing those guys who are going Division I can do, if not better.”

Izevbuwa received limited exposure by never playing AAU — which is how top prospects are evaluated — because he said he never got a call from an AAU team — and playing in Class A with MSIT, the second of three tiers in the PSAL.

Good friend Hassan Martin, a fellow Staten Island native who has signed with Rhode Island, saw his own recruitment explode with New Heights after giving the circuit a chance. Izevbuwa hooked on with New Heights, through coach Chris Alesi and at Martin’s suggestion.

Though he is excited about the opportunity and playing in tournaments in Dallas, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Izevbuwa is entering a new world, where hundreds of coaches descend on gyms and the level of play is significantly higher than he’s used to on Staten Island.

“It is a lot of pressure,” he said. “I try not to think about it, try to stay as positive as possible. This can determine where I’m going to play basketball at, where I’m getting my education. It’s exciting but scary at the same time.”

College coaches The Post spoke with about Izevbuwa questioned his effort and defensive ability —two qualities he plans to show in the coming weeks — but said he clearly is a capable scorer. Surrounded by top-shelf talent, he won’t be asked to score nearly as much as at MSIT.

“I’m going to try to be a complete player,” he said.

Alesi expects Izevbuwa to land at least few scholarship offers after the spring live period. A Xaverian assistant coach, Alesi has followed Izevbuwa for years, and is surprised by his lack of recruitment.

“I talk to a lot of college coaches and they constantly say they need scorers and shooters,” Alesi said. “He’s a kid that fits that bill in all those areas.”

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Sophomore guard Jerome Seagears has decided to transfer from Rutgers in the wake of the Mike Rice scandal, and Bronx native Achraf Yacoubou, a sophomore wing, will transfer from Villanova.

Although Richard Pitino left his post as the head coach of Florida International to take over at Minnesota, Thomas Jefferson guard Jaquan Lynch has not asked for his release yet. He’s waiting to see who will be the next coach.

Explosive and highly-ranked Philadelphia senior point guard and St. John’s target Rysheed Jordan will announce his college decision Thursday. He is picking between the Red Storm, Temple and UCLA.

Highly sought-after Christ the King guard Jon Severe took an official visit to Seton Hall on Tuesday, along with JUCO Monroe College wing Stephane Magna.

Football

Christ the King defensive tackle Thomas Holley added his 18th scholarship offer, from Kentucky on Friday. The junior visited Boston College on Friday.

zbraziller@nypost.com