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Fofana Will Not Close List

Hassan Fofana, a massive 6-9, 260 pound center from Holy Name H.S. in Worcester, Mass., is a player in the middle stages of rounding out his game. He is raw in some respects. However, he is physically capable of handling himself against any big man in the class of 2003.
When the Insiders Report/Rivalshoops.com last saw Fofana in July of 2001 at the ABCD Camp, he was very overweight and relatively limited. Last weekend at the Hoop Group/Converse Spring Jam Fest in Providence, R.I., Fofana helped the Middlesex Magic program reach the championship game of the 11th grade division.
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In the game, Fofana scored 12 points in the Magic's loss to the New York Ravens.
Last weekend, RivalsHoops.com also had a chance to watch Fofana in person again. While he's not fast or a great athlete, Fofana is a massive physical specimen with excellent rebounding instincts. He also has the ability to square up and knock down the occasional high arching jumper from short to midrange distances. Fofana doesn't elevate much off his feet. He relies on his wide frame to outmuscle his defenders inside.
Fofana told IR that he has dropped 30 pounds since last summer, which has helped him become a very effective player on both ends of the floor. He'll be bested suited in a half court system at the college level.
Thus far, Fofana said he has an early interest in UMass, Rhode Island, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Maryland, Wake Forest, Boston College, UConn, Holy Cross and Loyola of Chicago. His guardian, Gary Gibbons, told us that Hassan has not closed his list. Purdue, Providence, Notre Dame, Louisville, Kentucky, Stanford, North Carolina and Duke are all being considered, according to Gibbons.
"Hassan speaks five languages," Gibbons told us. "He is a great kid. He always works hard. He wants to be the best player he can. He is doing great in school too. I think he is going to try and get stronger. He wants to be a scholar/athlete."
This past season at Holy Name, Fofana averaged 15 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, four steals and seven blocks per game. Holy Name is the same school that ex-North Carolina recruit and current Holy Cross sophomore Neil Fingleton attended prior to going to college.
Fofana plans on attending the adidas ABCD Camp this summer, the Las Vegas event, as well as the NBA Players Association Camp and a session of the Five-Star Camp.
Fofana, a native of Conkary, Guinea, took the ACT exam for the first time on Apr. 6. He will play for the Magic this spring and summer. "Hassan doesn't have a leader right now," Gibbons said. "He is just in the process of talking to the schools and hearing what they have to say."
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