Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Ray Kasongo, the 6-foot-9, 235-pound big man from Grassroots Canada, was one of three recruits at UConn this weekend when they honored former coach Jim Calhoun.
Kasongo was joined by Louisville decommit JaQuan Lyle and former Maryland pledge Sam Cassell.
“It was very good, we enjoyed our visit. I was there with my wife [Kazady] and Ray,” Vincent Kasongo, Ray’s father, said by phone from Toronto.
“It’s a good university and they have a good program. And about basket [ball] they have a good coach. Everything seems good.”
Kasongo played pickup ball with a couple of NBA players, who were on hand to honor Calhoun.
“Yeah, yeah, he played with Kemba Walker, Jeremy Lamb and two others, I don’t know their name,” Vincent said. “They are NBA players.” [Ray Allen also played, sources said.]
Vincent said UConn coach Kevin Ollie and his staff were impressed with Kasongo, who models his game after Amar’e Stoudemire.
“He was very excited and said he likes all the moves Ray did and everybody appreciates Ray and they love him,” Vincent said.
The parents also like the fact that UConn is not that far from Toronto by plane.
“You know UConn is not so far from our house,” Vincent said. “By plane it’s one hour and 30 minutes. By driving its seven hours.”
Vincent said Ray will next visit Oregon this coming weekend and that his parents will join him.
Meantime, Lyle also seemed to enjoy his visit after staying with UConn guard Ryan Boatright.He Tweeted: “UConn was love this weekend, great visit!! Shoutout to @Ryanboatright11 for showing me a good time!”
Tweeted Kasongo: “Had a good time yesterday with my boy @Jmamba5 at Uconn.”
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
Ray Kasongo, the 6-foot-9, 235-pound big man from Grassroots Canada, was one of three recruits at UConn this weekend when they honored former coach Jim Calhoun.
Kasongo was joined by Louisville decommit JaQuan Lyle and former Maryland pledge Sam Cassell.
“It was very good, we enjoyed our visit. I was there with my wife [Kazady] and Ray,” Vincent Kasongo, Ray’s father, said by phone from Toronto.
“It’s a good university and they have a good program. And about basket [ball] they have a good coach. Everything seems good.”
Kasongo played pickup ball with a couple of NBA players, who were on hand to honor Calhoun.
“Yeah, yeah, he played with Kemba Walker, Jeremy Lamb and two others, I don’t know their name,” Vincent said. “They are NBA players.” [Ray Allen also played, sources said.]
Vincent said UConn coach Kevin Ollie and his staff were impressed with Kasongo, who models his game after Amar’e Stoudemire.
“He was very excited and said he likes all the moves Ray did and everybody appreciates Ray and they love him,” Vincent said.
The parents also like the fact that UConn is not that far from Toronto by plane.
“You know UConn is not so far from our house,” Vincent said. “By plane it’s one hour and 30 minutes. By driving its seven hours.”
Vincent said Ray will next visit Oregon this coming weekend and that his parents will join him.
Meantime, Lyle also seemed to enjoy his visit after staying with UConn guard Ryan Boatright.
He Tweeted: “UConn was love this weekend, great visit!! Shoutout to 