There were some who questioned Manhattan bringing back Steve Masiello after it was revealed he didn’t have a college diploma as was listed on his resume. Samson Usilo, one of four incoming Jaspers signees, wasn’t among them.
“I’m glad Manhattan took Steve Masiello back,” the Nazareth High School standout said after scoring 17 points for the home team, comprised mostly of New York City prospects, in a 102-99 victory in the Jordan Brand Classic regional game at Barclays Center. “He has his reasons for what he did. It doesn’t change anything. I love Coach Masiello. He’s a very good coach. Everyone makes mistakes. What he did, he already did. He can’t change it. We have to move forward.”
Usilo, a gifted 6-foot-5 wing from Nazareth in Brooklyn, said that sentiment was shared by the current Manhattan players he has spoken with and fellow signees, Nazareth teammate Samson Akilo, North Carolina sharpshooter Zane Waterman and Middleton, N.Y. forward Calvin Crawford.
“Everybody wanted him back,” Usilo said. “He’s a great coach. That’s the reason I’m going there. It’s someone I know can really help me in my game.”
Masiello is on unpaid leave as he completes his degree. Associate head coach Matt Grady is serving as the interim head coach.
Usilo looked like the latest Manhattan steal Friday night, displaying his immense physical tools with a bevy of dunks, acrobatic layups and even a 3-pointer. He was even more impressive afterward, handling a variety of questions regarding Masiello with poise.
Kevin Willard wasn’t at Barclays Center Friday night. Wherever the Seton Hall coach was, he had to be smiling — his recruits put on an impressive display in the Regional game.
Bishop Loughlin’s Khadeen Carrington led the home team to a 102-99 victory with a team-high 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Lincoln’s Desi Rodriguez added 17 points, and Newark East Side’s Ismael Sanogo followed with seven points and 11 rebounds. On the away team, The Patrick School’s Angel Delgado was a force in the paint, with 11 points and 17 rebounds. The fifth member of the class and its crown jewel — Lincoln’s Isaiah Whitehead — was invited to the national game, but didn’t play because of a hamstring injury.
“They’re going to be a very scary team to deal with down the road,” Bishop Loughlin coach Ed Gonzalez said.
Christ the King center Adonis Delarosa cracked a huge smile when he was asked about Chris Obekpa, the St. John’s forward who decided to remain in the Queens program on Friday after initially choosing to transfer.
“I got the news he was coming back I was just excited,” Delarosa said after scoring 12 points and adding eight rebounds in the regional game. “I feel we can help each other out, being the fact he’s not a low-post scorer, but he blocks everything around the rim. He’ll show me how to get my shot off against athletic defenders.”