By ADAM ZAGORIA
Danny Carbuccia, the three-star point guard from Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.) and the PSA Cardinals, is headed to the Atlantic 10 Conference.
The 6-foot, 175-pound point guard chose UMass over Hofstra, he told ZAGSBLOG on Wednesday.
“I will be going to UMass,” he said by phone. “The relationship I built with the coach [Frank Martin] over time, I felt it was the right fit for me.”
Carbuccia averaged 8.7 points, 5.9 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals as a junior at Stepinac and was named a LoHud 2nd-Team All-Star. He helped Stepinac win back-to-back CHSAA “AA” City & State Championships.
Carbuccia led the FIBA U18 5×5 AmeriCup in assists per game (6.0) playing for the Dominican Republic.
“I [will bring] my leadership and play-making, just being a leader on the floor and an extension of the coach,” he said. “And I’ll bring a winning culture.”
Casey Williams, Carbuccia’s coach with the PSA Cardinals, said: “Danny will be able to contribute day one! A high IQ point guard and leader who has played at the highest level amateur basketball can offer. UMass gets a gem of a player and a high-character young man.”
Added program director Terrance “Munch” Williams: “Danny is more than prepared to be a leader from day one. He is built to win and understands how to make everyone better. I would be shocked if he’s not one of the better freshman in the conference and helps them make the NCAA Tournament in the near future. It’s safe to say, Danny has been a special talent in the PSA Cardinals uniform and will be the same in college.”
Stepinac coach Pat Stepinac said of Carbuccia: “Danny will be a four-year starting point guard for us. He has a tad bit of an old-school mentality and style of play in this modern game. He has an ability to get guys’ shots and create for himself. He’s one of the strongest and most dynamic blow-by guys in his class in the country and what the UMass community and faithful should understand is that you’re getting a winner.
“He’s won everywhere he’s been since he’s been in second grade and I think that matters. His experience as well on the FIBA circuit with the Dominican team with his style of play and the style of coaching of Frank Martin should bring excitement to many up there and we’re excited for him in this next step.”
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