About the Series
“Where Are They Now” revisits some of the greatest athletes, coaches, and local legends whose stories shaped the fabric of North Jersey sports. These are the players who left a mark — not only on the scoreboard but on the community that cheered them on.
A City Once Ruled by Hoops
In a city that is the third largest in New Jersey, where the sounds of salsa fill the air and soccer fields now dominate the landscape, decades before Super Bowl Champion Victor Cruz danced into the end zone, Paterson, New Jersey, pulsed with a different rhythm — the unmistakable beat of a basketball bouncing in the playgrounds or hardwood courts.
During the mid-1970s, when African American and white athletes essentially ruled the local hoops scene, a Puerto Rican baller shattered barriers and redefined what greatness looked like in North Jersey basketball—his name: Jose Sosa.
The Night Everything Changed
It was 1976 — the Passaic County Tournament Finals — and the gym was bursting at the seams, alive with anticipation. Passaic County Technical High School (now Passaic County Technical Institute) was squaring off against Eastside High School, the powerhouse of Paterson basketball.
Eastside’s lineup read like a who’s who of future stars — Tony Murphy and Rory Sparrow, both destined for the NBA. The Ghosts had already dominated PCT twice that season, blowing them out in a preseason scrimmage and winning comfortably by 11 in their regular season matchup. Nobody, and I mean nobody, gave PCT a chance.
I was just an 11-year-old kid, wide-eyed and clutching my seat in the packed bleachers, barely tall enough to see over the crowd. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was about to witness basketball history — a performance so unforgettable that nearly fifty years later, I would find myself writing about it, still in awe.
“During his two years of playing for me, Jose was one of the best players in the area. He was exceptionally hardworking and determined — he made everyone around him better.”
— Coach Rich Corsetto, PCT Head Coach
A Performance for the Ages
When the game tipped off, something felt different. From the opening whistle, Jose Sosa wasn’t just playing — he was orchestrating. Every dribble, every pass, every shot carried a sense of command. He glided across the court with a blend of elegance and ferocity, as if he were playing jazz with a basketball.
The crowd gasped with every crossover, every no-look assist, every high-arching jumper that seemed to hang in the air just long enough for the gym to hold its breath.
Sosa torched Eastside for 40 points, leading PCT to a stunning upset victory that defied every prediction. But it wasn’t just the scoring that left the crowd in disbelief — it was his control of the game. He lifted his teammates to another level, inspiring belief where there had been none. Even Eastside’s loyal fans couldn’t help but applaud his brilliance by the final buzzer.
“He’s the best I’ve ever played with. Jose could do it all — score, pass, defend — and he made the game look easy.”
— Ron Williams, a former teammate, later starred at William Paterson University
That night, in a gym packed beyond capacity, a Puerto Rican kid from Paterson didn’t just win a game — he claimed a place in the city’s folklore. For many in the stands, it was the first time they had seen a Hispanic player dominate the way Sosa did — with style, grace, and unshakable confidence.
From Paterson to Puerto Rico
After high school, Sosa took his talents to St. Francis College (PA) before transferring closer to home at Mercer County Community College, where he averaged an impressive 20 points per game. His performances there caught the attention of one of college basketball’s biggest names, Lefty Driesell, the legendary coach at the University of Maryland. Maryland star John Lucas, a future NBA player himself, played a role in recruiting Sosa to join the Terrapins.
Sosa committed to Maryland, a dream opportunity. But fate had other plans. A few missing academic credits delayed his eligibility, and with professional teams from Puerto Rico offering significant contracts, Sosa made a life-changing decision — to begin his professional career back on the island of his heritage.
Becoming a Legend
That decision launched a new chapter of excellence. In Puerto Rico, Sosa became a legend, dazzling fans with the same flair and determination that first captivated Paterson. His professional career spanned years of elite play, earning him induction into the Puerto Rico Basketball Hall of Fame, a testament to his impact on the game across borders.
Today, Jose Sosa calls Puerto Rico home. Though the bright lights and roaring crowds have faded, his influence continues. He now coaches youth, instilling in the next generation the same discipline, passion, and creativity that once lit up the courts of North Jersey.
A Legacy That Still Echoes
Nearly half a century after that fateful night, the echoes of that basketball game still reverberate in my memory. I can still see that 11-year-old version of myself, eyes wide, heart racing, watching something I didn’t fully understand at the time — greatness.
I didn’t realize I was witnessing one of the most iconic performances in Passaic County Tournament history, a night that transcended sport and became legend.
And today, as I sat down to tell his story, I realized that Jose Sosa wasn’t just a basketball player, he was a pioneer. A trailblazer who carried the hopes of a community, the pride of a culture, and the spirit of a city that once lived and breathed basketball.
Before Victor Cruz danced, before Paterson’s fields turned to turf, there was Jose Sosa, the Puerto Rican phenom who made hardwood history.
About the Author
Darryl Jacobs is a nationally known basketball commentator/ analyst for ESPN, CBS Sports Networks & NBA TV, a former successful college head coach, and a native of Paterson, New Jersey. He is the creator of the “Where Are They Now” series, chronicling the untold stories of New Jersey’s greatest sports legends.