Hakim Saintil has finally made a college choice.
The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Roselle (N.J.) Catholic point guard will commit to South Alabama Sunday afternoon, he told SNY.tv.
“I felt comfortable over there,” he said. “They are like a family and with the new direction of the program it was hard for me not to go there.”
By averaging 14.5 points, 5.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds, Saintil helped Roselle Catholic win the New Jersey Tournament of Champions title, alongside Syracuse-bound forward Tyler Roberson and highly recruited 2015 wing Malachi Richardson.
Saintil had previously been courted by several schools, including FDU, St. Louis and Florida Gulf. He was leaning toward attending prep school in Iowa next season before picking South Alabama.
“Hakim is one of the great competitors I have ever seen,” RC coach Dave Boff told SNY.tv.
“I have long said that any school he attends will be better for having him. He was the best on-ball defender in New Jersey this year and helped us win games defensively. On the other side of the ball, he is a great shooter, can get to the rim and finish and is an underrated passer.”
Said Sports U coach Brian Coleman: “Hakim brings a ferocious tenacity that can help you win games every night. He’s a great defender and a fierce competitor, a real nightmare for opposing point guards. He can run a team, shoot well from the perimeter and finish at the rim with the best of them. He can get in the lane virtually at will and that ability helps him find teammates for easy shots.
“Above all, Hakim is a super kid. I think he will have a great career at South Alabama.