SJS to Host #2 Putnam Science Academy Prep Team

On Saturday, February 22^nd, St. Joseph School in Webster, MA will host the Putnam Science Academy (PSA) Men’s Prep Basketball Team as they take-on Winchendon.  The Putnam Science Academy Mustangs, under the direction of Head Coach Tom Espinosa, are currently ranked #3 nationally with a record of 25-3.  However, the team is not new to the national spotlight.  The Mustangs finished the 2018-19 season ranked 3^rd in the country and were the 2017-2018 National Champions.  Over the last six years, the Mustangs have made 6 consecutive appearances in the National Prep Championship Tournament, had six 25+ win seasons, and four 30+ win seasons.  You may also be familiar with the name Hamidou Diallo.  Diallo plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder and took home the title of 2019 NBA Slam Dunk Champion.  What you may not realize is that he was also known for his athletic ability and vertical leap during his time with the Putnam Science Academy Mustangs and is their all-time leading scorer with 1,415 points.

The current PSA roster includes three players who are 7 feet tall or more:  7’0” center, Josh Gray from Brooklyn, NY; 7’1” center, Mathias Van Dem Beemt from Amsterdam, Netherlands; and 7’0” center, Vladislav Goldin from Nevskogo, Russia.  The Mustangs also recruit talent locally as well as nationally and internationally.  6’2″ guard Marty Silvera is from Worcester, MA, but hometowns listed on their roster include Detroit, MI, Phoenix, AZ, Atlanta, GA, Saint-Petersburg, Russia, and Paris, France.  In addition, players from the Putnam Science Academy are recruited by elite college programs and currently two seniors have committed to Division 1 Schools.  (Division 1 is the highest level of intercollegiate athletics.) Guard Hassan Diarra, recently committed to Texas A&M and center Vladislav Goldin has committed to #24 ranked Texas Tech.  Since 2013, 34 players from Putnam Science Academy have gone on to play at Division 1 schools.

The game on Saturday, February 22^nd in the Richard A. Nowak Gymnasium at St. Joseph School, 47 Whitcomb Street, Webster, MA is a great opportunity to witness an incredible level of basketball talent.  Doors open at 6:00PM.  Concessions will be available.  Tip-off is at 7:00PM.    Tickets are available at the door and are $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors.  Call 508-943-0378 for more information.