Mike Layssard to Rhode Island

Mike Layssard, a 6-foot-9, 260-pound power forward from Northwood Lena High (LA), has verbally committed to Rhode Island, a source told SNY.tv.

Layssard had visits to Texas Tech and SMU lined up but committed to Rhode Island and head coach Dan Hurley on Sunday.

Graded a 3-star by ESPN, Layssard also reportedly had offers from Buffalo, Florida, Memphis, Murray State, New Mexico St., South Florida, Tulsa and Wake Forest.

Playing for Northwood High, he averaged 20.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocked shots as a junior and was named Louisiana Sports Writers Association First-Team All State as a junior. His future teammate Christion Thompson, a 6-4 wing scorer, was also an LSWA All-Stater last year. Layssard and Thompson were AAU teammates.

Written by Adam Zagoria

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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.