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6-7 forward Zane Waterman becomes Manhattan’s fourth commitment

Steve Masiello

Manhattan head basketball coach Steve Masiello sends instructions to his team during the second half of their NCAA college basketball game against Louisville, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, in Louisville, Ky. Louisville defeated Manhattan 79-51. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

AP

Despite last season’s injury-riddled 14-18 campaign, things are looking up for the Manhattan basketball program. Having to augment their style of play due to those significant personnel losses (the biggest one being leading scorer George Beamon), Steve Masiello’s Jaspers still managed to reach the title game of the MAAC tournament.

Now healthy, expectations are high for Manhattan as they (along with rival Iona) are seen as contenders for the MAAC title in 2013-14. That optimism has spread to the recruiting trail as well, as Manhattan entered Sunday with three verbal commitments in the 2014 class. That number has moved to four, as according to multiple outlets 6-7 forward Zane Waterman verbally committed to attend Manhattan on Sunday.

Waterman took an official visit to Manhattan over the weekend, and according to Bret Stretlow of the Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer Waterman also spent some time with Brooklyn Nets rookie Mason Plumlee while in the Big Apple. Waterman joins guard Samson Usilo and forwards Calvin Crawford and Samson Akilo in Manhattan’s 2014 recruiting haul.

As a junior at Fayetteville Academy, Waterman averaged 25.9 points and 11.7 rebounds per game on a team that finished the 2012-13 season with an 18-9 record. He’ll join a deep front court in 2014, as the Jaspers lose just one member of their rotation at the conclusion of the 2013-14 campaign. But to be fair that one departure is a major piece, as Rhamel Brown established himself as the MAAC’s best defensive player (and an underrated commodity nationally, as well).

Manhattan adds Maryland transfer Ashton Pankey to the rotation this season, along with 6-9 freshman Carlton Allen. And at small forward the Jaspers have plenty of experience, with juniors Emmy Andujar and Donovan Cates and sophomore Shane Richards all having eligibility remaining after this season.

Manhattan made their last NCAA tournament appearance in 2004, when they knocked off Florida and then fell to Wake Forest by four with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line. Given the work Masiello and his staff have done both on the floor and on the recruiting trail, that streak could come to an end in the near future provided the Jaspers remain healthy.

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