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Blaise-ing a new path: Ffrench heads to Saint Peter's
By Dylan Butler July 17, 2009
Blaise Ffrench thought he was done with the recruiting scene. After helping lead the Holy Cross basketball team to its first CHSAA Class AA intersectional title in 40 years, the point guard signed a letter of intent to play at the University of Texas-El Paso.
But things didn’t go according to plan at the Conference USA school. Ffrench appeared in 26 games, but averaged just 4.7 minutes per game, totaling eight points, six rebounds and 11 assists for the Miners.
The Queens native was also homesick.
“It was too far,” Ffrench said. “I just really didn’t like it. I wanted to come home and be close to my grandmother.”
Ffrench was actually contemplating leaving midway through the season, but was convinced by his grandmother, Linda Glover, to stick it out for the year.
He did that, and then informed the UTEP coaching staff his plan to transfer in April.
“Blaise is looking to get closer to home,” UTEP coach Tony Barbee said in a release. “We wish him the best with whatever he decides to do.”
Ffrench said he considered several local Division I schools, including Manhattan and LIU. He even thought about going the junior college route. But he found a home at Saint Peter’s College in Jersey City, N.J.
“I liked the coaches, they were real cool and then I got to hang out with the team and they seemed like good guys who were hard working and ready to win,” Ffrench said. “I really liked that.”
Ffrench said he was already familiar with Saint Peter’s, which recruited him as a junior at Holy Cross. He also knew assistant coach Marlon Guild. Ffrench said he was also impressed with head coach John Dunne, a former Archbishop Molloy player.
“He’s a player’s coach, he’s very cool,” Ffrench said. “He definitely has been changing things around there a lot.”
He also liked that Saint Peter’s, which competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, plays a tough non-conference schedule, which includes Big East schools Rutgers and Seton Hall.
“That’s big right there,” he said.
Ffrench will have to sit out this season, but he is already working on improving his game. The 6-foot-1 guard, who averaged 14.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.6 steals as a senior at Holy Cross, is working out with former Christ the King and Queens College assistant coach Jerry Ingenito to improve his shooting and footwork.
“I’m really trying to work on shooting,” Ffrench said. “I have this year off so I’m definitely going to work on my shooting.”
While it will be tough to sit out, Ffrench said he can’t wait for the chance to finally play college basketball in front of friends and family.
“It’s good to have that support,” Ffrench said.
dbutler@fiveborosports.com
But things didn’t go according to plan at the Conference USA school. Ffrench appeared in 26 games, but averaged just 4.7 minutes per game, totaling eight points, six rebounds and 11 assists for the Miners.
The Queens native was also homesick.
“It was too far,” Ffrench said. “I just really didn’t like it. I wanted to come home and be close to my grandmother.”
Ffrench was actually contemplating leaving midway through the season, but was convinced by his grandmother, Linda Glover, to stick it out for the year.
He did that, and then informed the UTEP coaching staff his plan to transfer in April.
“Blaise is looking to get closer to home,” UTEP coach Tony Barbee said in a release. “We wish him the best with whatever he decides to do.”
Ffrench said he considered several local Division I schools, including Manhattan and LIU. He even thought about going the junior college route. But he found a home at Saint Peter’s College in Jersey City, N.J.
“I liked the coaches, they were real cool and then I got to hang out with the team and they seemed like good guys who were hard working and ready to win,” Ffrench said. “I really liked that.”
Ffrench said he was already familiar with Saint Peter’s, which recruited him as a junior at Holy Cross. He also knew assistant coach Marlon Guild. Ffrench said he was also impressed with head coach John Dunne, a former Archbishop Molloy player.
“He’s a player’s coach, he’s very cool,” Ffrench said. “He definitely has been changing things around there a lot.”
He also liked that Saint Peter’s, which competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, plays a tough non-conference schedule, which includes Big East schools Rutgers and Seton Hall.
“That’s big right there,” he said.
Ffrench will have to sit out this season, but he is already working on improving his game. The 6-foot-1 guard, who averaged 14.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.6 steals as a senior at Holy Cross, is working out with former Christ the King and Queens College assistant coach Jerry Ingenito to improve his shooting and footwork.
“I’m really trying to work on shooting,” Ffrench said. “I have this year off so I’m definitely going to work on my shooting.”
While it will be tough to sit out, Ffrench said he can’t wait for the chance to finally play college basketball in front of friends and family.
“It’s good to have that support,” Ffrench said.
dbutler@fiveborosports.com