IU may have to battle Tom Crean for 2020 point guard target Hassan Diarra

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. – Putnam (Conn.) Science Academy guard Hassan Diarra has had a standout Nike EYBL Peach Jam thus far. 

The 6-2, 180-pound prospect helped lead the PSA Cardinals to a 2-1 start through the first two days of play. After three games, Diarra averaged 19.3 points on 47.6% shooting. That’s well above his output on the Nike EYBL circuit leading up to the Peach Jam, as he averaged 12.0 points on 41.6% shooting in 12 games played this AAU cycle.

According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Diarra is a 4-star prospect, the No. 66 overall recruit, the No. 11 point guard and the top-ranked prospect in Connecticut. He has plenty of high-major schools after him — as of now, Georgia, Texas A&M, Iowa State and Indiana appear to be after him the hardest.

The Hoosiers didn’t sign a point guard prospect in the class of 2019 and are looking to add Diarra to the 2020 class. 

“Indiana’s going after me pretty hard,” Diarra said. “Archie Miller, he’s a great coach, we talk a lot.”

For now, Diarra appears to be taking things slowly in his recruitment.

He wants to start taking visits in September, so he can get a feel for the atmosphere of colleges once students are back on campus. He says he hasn’t given thought to which schools will receive visits, though. Diarra didn’t name any frontrunners and says that he’ll take all five official visits before making a decision. As for the timing of that decision: “I don’t know yet. When the decision is right and it feels right, I’ll make my decision.”

Here’s what else Diarra had to say about the state of his recruitment:

What stage he’s at in the process: 

“Stage I’m at, I’m wide-open right now. Schools are still getting in. I’m just enjoying the process, soaking it all in and taking it all in and enjoying the process.”

What stands out about Georgia? 

“Tom Crean, he’s a great coach. Has coached many pros. That’s what stands out to me the most.”

What’s Archie Miller’s message?

“Just keep getting better. He wants to help me continue to get better. Keep developing, work hard, and he wants to be my coach one day.”

Asides from Miller, what do you like the most about Indiana? 

“Their history — Indiana has great history, so that’s very intriguing to me.”

Breaking down his game: 

“I’m just a tough, hard-nosed guard. A lead guard who’s going to work hard every possession offensively and defensively. And I’m just going to lead the team to wins.”