Here's the question - have you seen him around on campus yet?USU basketball signed a high school prep star last week, and he is now in classes at Utah State. His name is Anthony DiLoreto. He's a 7-foot center and defensive specialist with two Minnesota State Prep Championships under his belt. Coach Morrill has said he's come from a high quality program with a high quality coach and that this team is a great fit for him. It seems like this kid is coming with all the talent in the world behind him as he starts his collegiate career this week as an Aggie.
But he's got a downside too. The boy has a criminal record.
The man is facing felony charges on the robbery of a bank in Wisconsin. Apparently, he decided to bail in the middle of the operation, leaving his partner stranded to run from the law.
You can read all the details of this incident here
While bringing in someone with a sketchy past is not the worst thing that could happen, it does raise eyebrows.
The way I see it, this kid can either be David Pak, a kid with a troubled past that turned his life around, paid his debt to society, and is now a contributor to the world rather than a detractor, or he can be a wash.
My money is more easily put on the fact that this kid will contribute to the team and build his life the right way. I don't believe that Stew Morrill would look to taint this first 30-win season in USU history and the first outright conference title by bringing in someone who will only hurt this team.
I can't expect this kid to be perfect, but I will expect him to work hard since he's going to be the tallest player on the roster along with Modou Niang. This school needs a dominant center, and a 7-footer never is a detraction.
The USU press release on DiLoreto is here
You can expect me to ask Stew some questions about him (if I can get an interview with him before the basketball season starts.)
In Stew we trust!
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