Mani Messy Now Qualified

Mani Messy, a 6-7, 220 pound combo forward who signed with Fordham last year but didn't meet the NCAA's academic standards has now done so according to Felix Weekes, his Canadian AAU coach.

Messy was slated to attend Brewster Academy in New Hampshire this season but that fell through at the last minute. He sat out and worked on his academics and got qualified this past fall.

The Cameroon native, who now calls Ottawa, Ontario, home, played at The Winchendon School in Massachusetts during his junior season where he averaged 12 points and seven rebounds. A stress fracture in his foot and a hand injury kept him on the bench at St. Benedict's Prep last season.

Weekes said that Mani has been working out with Rich Leary's NJ Demons. "A number of schools have been in touch," said Weekes, "Including Penn State, Buffalo, Wichita State and George Washington." Others, besides the Rams, that had pursued him last year included New Mexico, UMass, Rutgers, East Carolina, LSU and Arkansas.

Messy has widened his game and can now easily handle the shooting guard slot, according to Weekes. The young man has an excellent basketball body and with the year delay has become more mature as a player and a person.

-- Russ Blake contributed to this story.