Zein Wahdan Goes from Egypt to D2 Mercy College Hoops Commit in One Year

In only his first year in the United States, Zein Wahdan, a native of Egypt, accomplished several of his goals, including playing well for the acclaimed Springfield Commonwealth Academy basketball program in Springfield, Mass., and the Boys 2 Men AAU squad.

The 6-foot-9 Wahdan turned that hard work and impressive play at Springfield Commonwealth Academy into ample college basketball attention. Thusly, he has recently committed to Division II Mercy College (N.Y.) Men’s basketball program.

He said that he garnered heavy interests from numerous low-major to mid-major programs, including Central Connecticut State University, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Stony Brook, LIU, Bryant, Wagner, Princeton and Brown.

Plus, Wahdan earned offers from DII Pace University, Roberts Wesleyan University and Livingstone College. Alongside 25+ offers from National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and junior college programs.

But he said that Mercy College pursued him the hardest, and that is why he went with them in the end. Additionally, Wahdan believes the Mavericks hoops program will suit him best.

“Mercy College was the right choice, and I have been excited to announce it for a while,” said Wahdan, who played for the Egyptian National team. “They have been consistent and allowed me to play on my terms, allowing me to become the kind of player I want to be and surround myself with people that truly believe in each other.

“The program at Mercy is all about selflessness and that ‘there is no I in team,’ which I appreciate,” he continued. “I feel like I can make an impact at Mercy and my position will be valued.”

The recruiting process can be rather arduous for most student-athletes, but Wahdan took it all in stride.

“The recruitment process has been an experience that I will never forget,” he said. “I would like to thank all of the coaches and schools that have taken an interest in me and taken the time to get to know me personally. I feel extremely blessed to be in the position to continue to play the game I love at the college level.”

The Mavericks posted a 6-20 overall record and went 3-13 in East Coast Conference action in the 2022-23 campaign.

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— Jerry Del Priore

Photos: Courtesy of Zien Wahdan