Though Penn men’s basketball’s recruiting class of 2019 has been more or less clear for several months now, coach Steve Donahue made it official last week, when he announced the six freshman who will be arriving on campus this fall. Here’s a quick look at the newest Penn Quakers:
Jackson Donahue
6’0” / 175 lbs.
Pawcatuck, Conn. / Northfield Mount Hermon
Perhaps the most heralded member of the class of 2019, Donahue — who is of no relation to his new coach — turned down offers from Harvard and Yale in favor of a college career in University City. Donahue was a captain for three years in high school and will figure to be a major offensive decision maker and leader in the four years to come.
Mo Esformes
5’10” / 185 lbs.
Miami Beach, Fla. / RASG Hebrew Academy
An undersized, scappy guard out of Florida, Esformes was named MVP of his team three different seasons while in high school. He will enroll in Wharton.
Tyler Hamilton
6’4” / 195 lbs.
Atlanta, Ga. / Cheshire Academy
A tall shooting guard out of Georgia, Hamilton is blessed with impressive basketball genes: his father, Derrek, was a third-round draft pick of the New Jersey Nets and played in Europe for several years. Another of Hamilton’s relatives, Antonio Lang, won two NCAA titles while playing for Duke.
Collin McManus
6’10” / 230 lbs.
Bedford, N.H. / Northfield Mount Hermon
The tallest member of the incoming class, McManus was a high school teammate of Jackson Donahue. McManus’ impressive size down low will certainly help to replace Darien Nelson-Henry’s presence when the center graduates after this upcoming season.
Max Rothschild
6’8” / 225
Chicago, Ill. / New Hampton
A power forward while in highschool, Rothschild will look to add some meat onto his 6’8” frame and provide Mike Auger-like rebounding tenacity down low.
Jake Silpe
6’2” / 185
Cherry Hill, N.J. / Cherry Hill East
A local product — the only one of his class — Silpe was named the Philadelphia Inquirer’s South New Jersey Player of the Year last season as he finished his high school career with 1,577 points. Coupled with Donahue and returning sophomore Antonio Woods, the Quakers’ backcourt has plenty of promise for the years to come.
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