JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Daniel Mading, a 6-foot-10, 198-pound power forward originally from the Sudan who was raised in Australia, will play this season for Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley at St. Anthony’s after spending last year at The Rock School in Gainesville, Fla.
“After I’m done with him I should be able to play right away at the next level,” Mading said Monday of Hurley.
Mading said he’s now hearing from Kentucky, Arizona, Arizona State, Wake Forest and Marquette, among others. He also holds offers from Florida and UConn, and Georgetown is also trying to get involved.
With Kentucky, assistant coach Kenny Payne has reached out but not offered.
“He’s just saying keep working hard,” Mading said. “They’re going to come down soon. It just makes me want to work harder.”
With Arizona, “They’re also recruiting me hard, just trying to build a relationship right now.”
Arizona State had been involved with Mading before, and of course Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley Jr. is the son of the St. Anthony coach.
“I know [Coach Bobby Hurley] is a guard coach,” Mading said. “I’m definitely going to look into it this upcoming season to see how he controls his team.”
Because he will turn 19 next season, Mading is only eligible to play at St. Anthony’s this season, and then will have to decide whether to remain at the school as a student only for the 2016-17 season or to prep.
“I’m not sure yet,” he said.
As far as his college career, he said he plans to be a stretch four.
“He has a lot of potential,” said Georgetown-bound guard Jagan Mosely. “He’s a 6-10 three man, it will be fun to see what he can do.”
Mosely will take his official visit to Georgetown on Oct. 16 for March Madness, and said Hoyas assistant coach Kevin Broadus — who attended an open gym Monday — would like to have Mading visit then as well.
“He’s trying to get Daniel to come up on my official visit with me,” Mosely said.
Mading is cousin’s with Orangeville Prep (Ontario) star Thon Maker, a projected 2017 NBA Draft pick.
“I definitely want to get up to where he’s at,” Mading said. “I try to look up to him.”
