DePaul is off to a terrific 5-0 start to the season. They’re doing it with just one senior playing a significant role and three former Chicago Public League stars making an impact.
And another one is on the way.
Simeon junior guard Ahamad “Black Cat” Bynum committed to DePaul on Sunday following an official visit over the weekend. The athletic 6-1 combo guard is the City/Suburban Hoops Report’s No. 4 ranked prospect in the Class of 2021.
Bynum said there were two major factors that persuaded him to pull the trigger early: playing close to home and the Blue Demons coaching staff.
“I was ready,” says Bynum of committing before his junior season even began. “I’m cool with coach [Dave] Leitao and [assistant] Tim [Anderson]. Tim is like family. And the chance to play in front of family and friends was important. I want them to be close and be able to watch me play.”
Last year was an up-and-down season for Bynum due mostly to battling an injury. But he’s a dynamic talent with the ball in his hands. Bynum is wired to score the basketball, both with his shooting and off the dribble.
The trio of junior Charlie Moore (Morgan Park), freshman Markese Jacobs (Uplift) and junior Devin Gage (Curie) have been instrumental in the fast start to the season. Moore is averaging 14.8 and four assists a game, while Jacobs and Gage are averaging 9.0 and 6.5 points, respectively.
Leading scorer Paul Reed, who is averaging a double-double, is just a junior, and promising freshman Romeo Weems is already making an impact.
“I love watching those guys,” says Bynum of the city trio of Moore, Gage and Jacobs. “I want to represent the city of Chicago and help bring DePaul basketball back.”
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