DME Renews Winning Ways With Promising Core
Just two seasons ago, DME Academy boasted one of the most talent-laced lineups in the country. Bolstered by a hard-pressing style and breakneck transition game, the team featured a plethora of Division-I recruits–Tobias Howard, Ted Kapita, Kevaughn Harris, and Connor Farrell to name a few.
A previously unheard of program at the time, DME ascended its way up the national ranks. Mid-way through the 2015-16 season, DME found its way to an unprecedented no.5 national ranking.
Last year, DME’s national team suffered a considerable down year. Without the same star power and acclimatizing to a transition year, they struggled mightily to stay afloat in the SIAA.
After a summer in which the program ramped up its recruiting efforts, significantly, DME is again a highly reputable program.
Madiaw Niang, Class of 2018
After showing flashes during his first-ever year in the United States at the Conrad School last year, the 6-foot-8 Niang has improved exponentially as a dependable scorer with a killer instinct. Long and versatile and possessing a smooth stroke, Niang erupted for 35 points and 14 rebounds during a 95-84 win over Downey Christian last week.
Flushed into a prominent role, performances of this caliber are expected out of Niang this season. It has been a major transformation for Niang, whose season high was 15 points against lowly (and now defunct) Faith Baptist last season.
“One of the key things I’ve managed to improve on is my handle on the court,” said Niang, who holds offers from Coastal Carolina, FIU, Stetson, along with interest from UMass and South Florida.
“I’ve also been better at taking the right shots, not forcing shots. I’ve been able to work and improve at finishing hard and attacking the rim. Most importantly, I want to be a leader and have the toughness as a player. Really, I need to show people that I can be a consistent force and have an impact in every game and stay focused. That would be key in getting where I need to go.”
De’Andre Harvey, Class of 2019
Consistent threat as a dish-first and facilitating point guard, Harvey has upped his profile these past few games. It started when DME gutted out a 60-53 victory over Gateway High School. Harvey submitted 16 points, four boards, and three assists to lead the way. The Washington, D.C. native is now averaging 14 points, six assists, and 3.3 boards over a recent three game span. Harvey came to play during the wild aforementioned win over Downey Christian. He scored 11 points and doled out a season-best 12 assists, finding Niang throughout.
Calvin Freeman, Class of 2018
Bullish 6-foot-5, 205-pound guard has come alive and elevated his level of play during pivotal recent stretches. The Detroit native had 14 points and seven rebounds during the Downey Christian win. Back on Dec. 5, Freeman had 20 points and eight boards during an 83-80 loss to Gulliver.
Assane Diouf, Class of 2019
As a wide-bodied 7-footer, Dioff is a massive shot-blocking presence on the blocks. This much was evident during Scott Golden’s Hoop Exchange All American Jamboree in Apopka, Fla., when Diouf nearly sealed the basket shut and steered the driving lanes clear. Had eight points, eight boards in aforementioned Downey win. If he can develop a scoring skill-set and back to the bucket game, Diouf will soon have a high ceiling. Raw but promising.