Only one day before the opening tip of the 2015-2016 season, Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl announced a “program-changing” addition for the 2016-2017 season.
Five-star Mustapha Heron, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound guard from Waterbury, Connecticut, signed a national letter of intent to attend Auburn University on Thursday.
Heron is the school’s first-ever consensus five-star signee, and is ranked among the top 25 recruits in the nation by ESPN, 247Sports, Rivals and Scout.
“He’s a program-changer, not just because he’s a five-star and a probable McDonald’s All-American, (likely) the third one we’ve ever had here at Auburn,” said Pearl. “He’s an incredible young man.”
Pearl praised Heron’s maturity for his age. “He has had his own reading program in the Waterbury area for a number of years with his dad,” Pearl said. “His dad works in the prison system, and he’s learned how to make a difference in the community already.”
Pearl went so far as to call Heron an “absolute role model.”
Heron has led Sacred Heard High School to two state championships, but the success has never gone to his head, according to Pearl. “He could be the big man on campus, and he just doesn’t carry himself that way at all.”
Last season, Heron averaged 22 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, earning New Haven Register All-State Player of the Year. He is only the second junior to earn the honor.
Heron has also played AAU basketball for the New York Rens this past summer, where he averaged 20 points and nine rebounds per game to lead the Rens to a 55-5 record.
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