The best is yet to come for Kaneland graduate Freddy Hassan, but there’s a lot to be said for how the present is going for the Waubonsee Community College freshman.
Quite well, thank you.
That’s probably no surprise to many who watched the development of the 6-foot-7 forward/center the previous four years for the Knights, but nothing is given when making the jump to college.
“I expected to come in, work hard and play my best,” Hassan said. “As a team, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. You hear a lot about juco, like it’s not a good place to be. Some say it’s not real basketball, although that’s not a real thing anymore with all the transfers to D-I and D-II schools.
“I thought we’d come in and love each other and play. I feel like, if that’s what we do, we can win.”
So far, those wins have been piling up.
Hassan entered Tuesday’s Skyway Conference home game against Elgin leading the Chiefs in both scoring and rebounding with averages of 16.8 and 8.9, respectively.
He didn’t disappoint either, scoring a team-high 20 points and grabbing a game-high 12 rebounds to lead Waubonsee to a 100-85 victory in Sugar Grove.
The 210-pound Hassan teams with 6-7, 235-pound sophomore Chikasi Ofoma to give the Chiefs (14-5, 4-1) a strong inside presence, but their guards attack the basket with ferocity as well.
“I think it’s a lot like playing with my brother last year,” Hassan said of 6-9 Jeffrey Hassan, who is two years younger. “I’ve been playing the five my whole life until last year when I played more four.
“It helped prepare me for this year, where I can do whatever the team needs me to do, play inside or on the perimeter. And Ofomo — we call him Kasi — teaches me stuff. He came from Ferris State and I think he’s a D-I talent as well.”
Hassan came into Tuesday’s game shooting 64% (113 of 176) from the floor, 35.5% (11 of 31) on 3-pointers and 80.2% (65 of 81) from the free-throw line.
Sophomore guard Kamea Chandler added 17 points off the bench for the Chiefs. Ofoma and freshman guard Dirk Nickson scored 13 points apiece, while sophomore guards James Parker and Ehi Ogbomo each had 12.
Derek Clark, a freshman forward from South Elgin, scored a game-high 21 points for Elgin (8-11, 2-3).
“We had Freddy and Chikasi start and then alternate on breaks because Elgin had five guys out there who can shoot it all the time,” Waubonsee coach Lance Robinson said. “I think they’re the best 4-5 duo in the region.
“Some games Kasi’s the best player on the court and, of course, Freddy has been our most consistent.”
Robinson confirmed that Hassan’s transition to the college game has been seamless.
“Obviously, they were good at Kaneland last year but you never know,” Robinson said. “After every game, even practice, he asks, ‘Coach, what could I have done better?’ He’s been a joy to coach.
“Freddy is always wanting to get better, is a great listener and teammate. He’s always in the gym working on his game.”
Kaneland point guard Marshawn Cocroft, Parker’s cousin, teamed with Hassan to lead the Knights to a 32-2 record — including a program-best streak of 31 straight wins — before losing to DePaul Prep in the supersectional.
“I love Freddy’s game,” Parker said. “He’s just got a motor to him. We didn’t know how he’d produce for us early on, but he’s a gym rat and he’s consistent. He stays locked in, watching film, trying to get better. He’s never down, always picking up teammates, too.
“Freddy got a motor.”
Hassan, who is drawing some Division I interest already, isn’t sure if he will leave after this season or next.
“I’m just focused on winning, hopefully make nationals,” he said.
That’s another aspect Hassan’s coach loves about him.
“His best basketball is ahead of him,” Robinson said. “We’re focused on this year. I’m gonna coach him one or two years. After the season, we’ll sit down and talk about his options.”
