2023 Forward Recaps Visit, Maryland Offer

2023 forward Amani Hansberry transferred from St. John’s to Mount St. Joseph this week as the 6-foot-8, 225-pound three-star is preparing for AAU season with Team Durant.

“I've been working on the stuff that I’m not as confident on and just turning my ability to the next level because I know I can play the wing or the four at the college level because of my size. Just working, grinding through the summer,” Hansberry told Inside the Black and Gold. Several schools, including Pitt, Wake Forest, NC State, Miami, Xavier and Providence, all reached out to Hansberry back on June 15 in what marked an eventful first day of contact from college coaches.

“I had one call and a couple of texts at night but then between like 10 AM to 8 PM, it was a very busy day.” Maryland was the first school to extend a new offer after head coach Mark Turgeon connected with Hansberry for the first time.

“He was telling me that I’m a great basketball player and all the great things he heard about me, I’m very blessed,” Hansberry added. “I was very surprised.” Hansberry is familiar with the Terps’ program but is looking to learn more after observing Turgeon’s style of play through his first two seasons of high school basketball. “I haven’t been to a Maryland game but I’ve been on campus. I’ve played in their auxiliary gym before so I know a little bit about Maryland but not as much as I’d really like to. My freshman and sophomore year I was watching a bunch of college hoops and got to watch them so I definitely feel I fit their style of play.”

Hansberry did take in a trio of visits last month and made trips to NC State and Wake Forest on back-to-back days. “They were great, I had a great time at all the places,” he added. “Just the facilities were next level, the coaching staff, the love they gave me, it was great. I appreciated it all.”

Pitt head coach Jeff Capel connected well with Hansberry as he looks to make a return visit. “It was an introduction but he did mention some stuff about why I fit. He said for me to get back up there again so we can talk about it sometime.”

With Hansberry now up to 12 verbal offers, the three-star is basking in the early stages of his recruitment as the big man stays focused on the task at hand.

“It’s very motivating, actually. Just to grow up watching college hoops on TV then get to that age where you start to think about college, have colleges offer and coaches call and offer opportunities, I think it’s very motivating when you’re trying to be the best player.”

Hansberry is rated a three-star and an 86 overall by 247Sports.