MORAGA – Saint Mary's College's difficult offseason got even worse Tuesday night when highly touted three-star recruit Zion Sensley opted out of the lads's basketball program.
It joins a growing list of high-profile losses the Moraga school has suffered since losing in the primary round of the NCAA Tournament as a No. 5 seed.
Aiden Mahaney, who went to highschool at nearby Campolindo High, entered the transfer portal after two seasons at Moraga. Forward Joshua Jefferson transferred to Iowa State.
Sensley, a 6-foot-8 winger who will graduate from San Francisco High School in May, Archbishop Riordan announced on Social media platform X.
“After reflecting on the changes within the St. Mary's Men's Basketball program, I have decided to request release from my NLI and resume my recruitment,” Sensley wrote. “I’ll use this time to make your mind up which school I’ll attend next yr. Thank you very much.”
Sensley spent his freshman yr at Riordan before transferring and playing the subsequent two seasons at Prolific Prep in Napa. He returned to non-public school in San Francisco for his senior yr and did excellently there.
The all-Bay Area News Group selection averaged 17.5 points and 6.4 rebounds while leading the Crusaders to a Central Coast Section Open Division title and an appearance within the NorCal Open championship game.
Sensley had been stationed at Saint Mary's since last November.
“I would like to first express my gratitude to St. Mary's College of California, the coaching staff and the athletic department for their trust and support throughout the recruiting process,” Sensley wrote. “I am deeply grateful for the hospitality and support that Moraga and the entire Bay Area have shown me, and I will forever consider it my home.”
Recently, satirically, the Gales were cited for example a thriving old-school team that was unaffected by the transfer portal or name, image and likeness endorsements.
Longtime coach Randy Bennett now has to switch at the very least three players who’re expected to contribute next season.
As of Tuesday night, three-star Prolific Prep guard Mikey Lewis and Australian combo guard Joshua Dent are the one highschool players committed to Saint Mary's within the 2024 class.
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