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.
By ADAM ZAGORIA & CHARLIE PARENTRahsool Diggins, the former UConn guard and Class of 2021 top-50 recruit, will transfer to UMass, he told ZAGSBLOG on Monday.
The 6-foot-1 Diggins also gained interest from La Salle, Rhode Island, and Penn State.
“With ‘Sool choosing UMass, I feel he can have a great start with a coaching staff that is starting from scratch,” Archbishop Wood John Mosco said. “He can go in and not have seniors and older players ahead of him. Now it is up to him to prove to everyone the player we all know he is!”
This is a big get for new head coach Frank Martin, who recently took the job after getting fired following 10 seasons at South Carolina.
“During the recruiting process I’ve gained a trust in head coach Frank Martin and loved what he is trying to build at Umass,” Diggins said. “You can tell he is about relationships and I feel as though that’s a person I would love to play and win for.”
He continued: “I think it will be incredible to reunite with a great friend and tough competitor in Taquan Woodley and believe we can make a lot of noise in the A-10.”
Diggins only saw action in nine games this season with UConn, averaging 5.1 minutes per game and 0.8 points. But, he believes he can transition into a bigger role in a new location.
“I will bring my ability to score on all three levels and still make my teammates better and get them involved; I will bring leadership alongside Noah Fernandes,” he said.
As for other transfers Diggins wants to bring in, he is still feeling that process out.
“Right now I have my eyes on one person,” Diggins said. “But learned that I have to focus on myself first and my situation.”
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