https://setonhall.rivals.com/news/2021-wing-sean-durugordon-sees-himself-as-a-fit-at-seton-hall
By Tyler Calvaruso
PirateCrew.com Recruiting Analyst
It has not taken long for Seton Hall to move up 2021 Putnam Science Academy (CT) wing Sean Durugordon’s list.
After monitoring the Queens native for a while, Seton Hall officially jumped into the race for Durugordon with an offer on June 13. The Pirates entered a crowded pool of competition consisting of Arizona State, Auburn, DePaul, East Carolina, Georgia, Hofstra, Maryland, Missouri, Penn State, Rutgers, UConn and VCU, but have established themselves as a top contender to land the versatile swingman through a series of conversations via ZOOM, the most recent of which came on Wednesday.
“They’ve been telling me that they’ve been hearing about me for a while now and that they really like my game,” Durugordon told PirateCrew.com. “They think my game can fit their style of play and they want to keep me in the Tri-State area. They’ve made it clear that they really like my game and how I am a shooting guard that can do a lot of things on the court at 6-foot-6.”
Leading the charge to keep Durugordon close to home has been assistant coach Duane Woodward. Durugordon and Woodward have developed a solid relationship throughout the past month, as the two have been able develop a bond through their similar upbringing.
“He’s a great person,” Durugordon said of Woodward. “We spoke for a while the first time he called. He told me a lot about his background and stuff. I can connect easily with him since he is from Queens. We communicate easily.”
Durugordon and Woodward have also been able to connect through their similar styles of play on the court. When Woodward starred at Boston College and overseas, he was known as a hard-nosed guard who embodied the New York City toughness most of its natives play with. Durugordon models his game in a like fashion and is extremely intrigued by the opportunity to play for a Seton Hall program that has established itself as one of the toughest in the country in recent years.
“They play a gritty type of game, which I can see myself playing in,” Durugordon said. “They’re close to home, so my family can see me play. Overall, I believe coach Willard’s culture at Seton Hall is just special.”
Once the dead period ends, Durugordon is eyeing an unofficial visit to Seton Hall. He is also looking forward to checking out Iona, St. John’s and Rutgers – the other local schools recruiting him the hardest right now.
“All the schools nearby me I definitely want to take unofficials to,” Durugordon said. “I’m not sure about official visits yet though because I’m not sure how many we’ll get with this whole pandemic and more schools getting involved. I want to take more time to take a greater look at that. I would definitely like to check out St. John’s, Rutgers Seton Hall and Iona since they are all in my area."
"Ultimately, I’m looking for a program that is going to let me play my game from day one and will trust me to take big shots for the team. I’m looking for a place that’s going to allow me to play through my early mistakes and somewhere I have a good relationship with the head coach. Most importantly, I want a coaching staff that I can trust and know they’re going to stick to and honor their word.”
Durugordon says he has no hard timeline for a decision, as it could “happen at any time given the circumstances right now.” He has also been spending most of the COVID-19 pandemic focusing on getting his game right before he heads back to Connecticut for his senior year.
“I’ve been working every day, lifting three times a week, getting stronger and quicker,” Durugordon said. “I’m working on getting my handle at its peak so I can play a little bit of the one. My passing ability is very good, so I just want my handle to match it. I want to get better with screens and making the right reads, too.”
In short another in a long line of tough, gritty, hard-nosed NY alums representing City Basketball at its finest.
By Tyler Calvaruso
PirateCrew.com Recruiting Analyst
It has not taken long for Seton Hall to move up 2021 Putnam Science Academy (CT) wing Sean Durugordon’s list.
After monitoring the Queens native for a while, Seton Hall officially jumped into the race for Durugordon with an offer on June 13. The Pirates entered a crowded pool of competition consisting of Arizona State, Auburn, DePaul, East Carolina, Georgia, Hofstra, Maryland, Missouri, Penn State, Rutgers, UConn and VCU, but have established themselves as a top contender to land the versatile swingman through a series of conversations via ZOOM, the most recent of which came on Wednesday.
“They’ve been telling me that they’ve been hearing about me for a while now and that they really like my game,” Durugordon told PirateCrew.com. “They think my game can fit their style of play and they want to keep me in the Tri-State area. They’ve made it clear that they really like my game and how I am a shooting guard that can do a lot of things on the court at 6-foot-6.”
Leading the charge to keep Durugordon close to home has been assistant coach Duane Woodward. Durugordon and Woodward have developed a solid relationship throughout the past month, as the two have been able develop a bond through their similar upbringing.
“He’s a great person,” Durugordon said of Woodward. “We spoke for a while the first time he called. He told me a lot about his background and stuff. I can connect easily with him since he is from Queens. We communicate easily.”
Durugordon and Woodward have also been able to connect through their similar styles of play on the court. When Woodward starred at Boston College and overseas, he was known as a hard-nosed guard who embodied the New York City toughness most of its natives play with. Durugordon models his game in a like fashion and is extremely intrigued by the opportunity to play for a Seton Hall program that has established itself as one of the toughest in the country in recent years.
“They play a gritty type of game, which I can see myself playing in,” Durugordon said. “They’re close to home, so my family can see me play. Overall, I believe coach Willard’s culture at Seton Hall is just special.”
Once the dead period ends, Durugordon is eyeing an unofficial visit to Seton Hall. He is also looking forward to checking out Iona, St. John’s and Rutgers – the other local schools recruiting him the hardest right now.
“All the schools nearby me I definitely want to take unofficials to,” Durugordon said. “I’m not sure about official visits yet though because I’m not sure how many we’ll get with this whole pandemic and more schools getting involved. I want to take more time to take a greater look at that. I would definitely like to check out St. John’s, Rutgers Seton Hall and Iona since they are all in my area."
"Ultimately, I’m looking for a program that is going to let me play my game from day one and will trust me to take big shots for the team. I’m looking for a place that’s going to allow me to play through my early mistakes and somewhere I have a good relationship with the head coach. Most importantly, I want a coaching staff that I can trust and know they’re going to stick to and honor their word.”
Durugordon says he has no hard timeline for a decision, as it could “happen at any time given the circumstances right now.” He has also been spending most of the COVID-19 pandemic focusing on getting his game right before he heads back to Connecticut for his senior year.
“I’ve been working every day, lifting three times a week, getting stronger and quicker,” Durugordon said. “I’m working on getting my handle at its peak so I can play a little bit of the one. My passing ability is very good, so I just want my handle to match it. I want to get better with screens and making the right reads, too.”
In short another in a long line of tough, gritty, hard-nosed NY alums representing City Basketball at its finest.
