Auburn, ME - Head Women's Basketball Coach, Andrew Morong, is pleased to announce the commitment of Aaliyah Djanabia-James as the the latest Granite State standout to join the Mustangs. Djanabia-James was a standout guard for Dover HS and the NH Spartans club program. The Life Sciences major, will graduate DHS with distinction after working with Seacoast Charter Schools after school program.
Djanabia-James on her commitment, "I chose CM because I felt they had the most to offer me academically and the best opportunities for basketball. When I visited the campus and met with Coach Morong, I knew it was the perfect fit. It was everything that I was looking for at this moment, affordability, a great basketball program, well funded science programs, beautiful campus, a safe community and a place that seems like it will really grow me as a player and prepare me for my college endeavors even after my 2 years are over. I have a sense that Coach Morong not only supports you as a player but as a whole person. I have no doubt that he will help me succeed and accomplish whatever I put my mind out to do in life not just in the game of basketball. I also feel that this community really respects and stands behind it's teams and I am really excited to be a part of that. Also who wouldn't want to be a Mustang!? The team has the motive and drive to win! You can see it in how they play! I am so excited to be a part of that. I like to win and will put everything I got into a game to help my team get a win."
She continued, "I think it will help build my game physically as well as mentally. I know there will be times that I'll have to push through workouts or running. I have watched my former teammate Eliza really grow this past year. I saw her game improve and her confidence grow. I hope it will do that and even more for me. I am excited about the strength training program. A lot of good teams I see have strong strength training and it was something I knew would be important. Since I was little I have been known as a defensive bulldog. My defense is my greatest strength. I also have the ability to see the whole court. I can just feel a play before it happens. I sense where my teammates will be. I put forth my best defense to get the ball from the other team and if it's ever stolen from me you better believe I'm going to get it back. I am easy to get along with and I like to win. My whole heart goes in the game. If you want a teammate that is going to give their all to the game that is me."
NH Spartans coach, Chris Coates, added, "Aaliyah is a point guard at it's finest. She can play 1 or 2 and fill either role at a high level. She can play pure point guard and score 8-10 points and dish out 8-10 assists a game or she can score 16-18 points and dish out 4-5 assists a game. She handles the ball very well against pressure and drives to the hole hard making great passes to open teammates. She is a very solid 3 point shooter and has a great euro step going through traffic in the lane. Aaliyah is a very scrappy defender and creates many deflections and steals in our trap style press. She is probably the best defender in the program. She has a defensive motor like few girls I have ever seen. She is a very good team leader on and off the floor."
Coach Morong commented, "Aaliyah is a perfect fit. She loves to get after it on defense and she excels playing in the full court. She has great vision and awareness while putting the team first. Although she is tenacious and aggressive, she is also balanced and precise. She has the type of personality that when she shows up here in August, it's going to seem like she been here for months already. We are thrilled that we get to coach and help guide Aaliyah on her quest to achieve her goals on and off the court."
