Newark East Side's Ismael Sanogo stays home, commits to Seton Hall University

Ismael Sanogo (3) of Newark East Side shoots during the NJSIAA Group 3 semifinals on March 7. Sanogo committed to Seton Hall University on his 17th birthday. (Alex Remnick/The Star-Ledger)

 

Newark East Side's Ismael Sanogo will be staying home for college, committing to Seton Hall University.

Sanogo, a 6-7, 190-pound combo forward made his announcement on a Tuesday conference call, selecting Seton Hall over George Mason, VCU, St. Joseph's and Pennsylvania. Overall, he had roughly 25 scholarship offers and is Seton Hall's first commitment from the Class of 2014.

"It was very unreal. I didn't expect that to happen," said Sanogo, who made the announcement on his 17th birthday. "To have the chance and to have the opportunity to go to a school that's right in my city is something amazing."

Sanogo's future basketball home, The Prudential Center, is less than two miles away from East Side High School.

"My verbal agreement to attend Seton Hall is an important one for me," he said. "Having the opportunity to play in the Big East Conference in my home state and home city, I hope to bring college basketball excitement to the area. Playing for Coach (Kevin) Willard at Seton Hall University is the best decision my family and I could make."

Last season, Sanogo averaged 9.0 points per game and was a defensive standout for a Newark East Side team, which went 25-7, won its first NJSIAA Group 3 title since 2002 and finished No. 14 in The Star-Ledger Top 20.

Right now, Sanogo's strength is on the defensive end, as he has the ability to guard the perimeter, while being a top shot-blocker and rebounder. Sanogo said he has spent the off-season improving his ball-handling and court vision and in the eyes of his coaches, is just starting the scratch the surface of his on-court potential.

"He's improved tremendously as a ball-handler and his range on his jump shot," Newark East Side co-head coach Anthony Tavares said. "He's a tremendous athlete, a great rebounder and he's somebody that doesn't say much, goes in there and competes. He's a wonderful competitor, he does a great job defensively and his biggest attribute is that he's a warrior.

"Once he gets in the weight room, puts 20 pounds of muscle on and does what he has to do, the sky's the limit. By the time he's 20 years old and going into his junior year in college, I think he can be one of the better players in the country if he works hard and stays humble."