In return to Philly roots, former Archbishop Wood star Rahsool Diggins reflects on rebound season with UMass

Rahsool Diggins had a heck of a homecoming.

On Jan. 21, the sophomore guard for the University of Massachusetts played his first game in the Philadelphia area since he was a senior at Archbishop Wood High School. It was a 74-68 loss to St. Joseph’s,but Diggins made his presence felt by posting several career highs, including 15 points, six field goals, and three rebounds.

Diggins was a two-time Catholic League player of the year as well as a three-time first-team all-state selection. Wood’s all-time leading scorer was being recruited by St. Joe’s and Villanova as well as Kansas and Connecticut, among others. Diggins went on to sign with UConn and was expecting big things.

Diggins’ first and only season with the Huskies did not play out how he had hoped. He played in just nine games and averaged only5.1 minutes. After a season in which he had one more point than turnovers, Diggins decided it was time to move on.

“It was a humbling experience,” Diggins said. “[But I did] manage to learn how to play harder every play, and compete.”

Diggins attributed his struggle for minutes in Storrs to the amount of fifth-year players who were on the roster. What COVID-19 afforded so many college athletes was an extra year of eligibility.

From that aspect, Diggins said he wishes that there had never been a pandemic.

“If COVID-19 never happened, there wouldn’t have been so many fifth-year [players].” Diggins said. “I wouldn’t have had to wait behind anybody.”

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According to Diggins, he did manage to find a way to benefit and learn from the older guys on UConn’s roster, and he realized that college basketball was a completely different game compared to high school.

“My expectations for my freshman year were to play on a competitive team and compete for a Big East championship and a national championship,” Diggins said.

Archbishop Wood coach John Mosco, who coached Diggins in high school, said that players entering the college game don’t immediately understand the idea that they’re competing with players who are five or six years older and have a lot of experience at the collegiate level.

“Physically, it is a different level, as well as learning what these coaches want you to do,” Mosco said. “Some kids need a freshman year to understand the system and understand what the coaches want.”

Mosco said Diggins is starting to mature and become more comfortable, and he is also getting stronger.

“I think if he would have stayed [at UConn], he would have been playing justas well there as he is with [UMass head coach Frank] Martin,” Mosco said.

Martin saw Diggins play in high school and thought he was a good player.

“You don’t become a player of the year in Philly because someone likes you, or because you’ve got a nice smile,” Martin said.

Martin said it was not just Diggins’ abilities as a player that caught his attention but a combination of his skill set and his personality — both of which he wanted when putting together his first recruiting class as UMass head coach.

“Even though I did not know Rahsool and his family, through John, I knew how much he enjoyed coaching Rahsool,” Martin said. “When you’re new somewhere,you need to find people that have joy, that have a personality, and that are good teammates. Rahsool is all three.”

During the recruiting process, Martin noted that Diggins was never bitter about his time at UConn, and admitted that there were some things that he could have handled better, which showed responsibility.

“That came across as really honest and humble to me,” Martin said, “which reinforced to me that he was eager for an opportunity.”

Diggins has steadily improved during his first season with the Minutemen. He has played in 19 games, averaging 7.8 minutes. He is averaging 4.3 points per game and leads the Minutemen in assists with 47.

Diggins said that while things at UConn did not work out the way he had hoped, he is glad for another opportunity with UMass.

“I think continuing to stay in the gym, staying humble, competing every day, and listening to Coach Frank should help me tremendously — as it’s helping me right now.” Diggins said.

As for Martin, he’s happy that Diggins choose Amherst as the new launchpad to showcase his talents.

“It’s not an easy formula, but he’s fighting the battle. I’m real proud of him,” Martin said. “I’m with [Rahsool] whether he plays or he doesn’t play. I’ve got his back, and I’m all in on Rahsool.”

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