Thomas Taking Visits; McGill, Mockford to Iona; Chaney Planning Visits

Former St. Patrick of Elizabeth standout Quintrell Thomas has narrowed his choices to UNLV, St. Joe’s and Siena.

The 6-foot-8 Thomas is transferring from Kansas and hopes to have a decision made by mid-May.

He visited St. Joe’s last weekend, heads to UNLV this weekend and then goes to Siena the following weekend.

UNLV was near the top of his list the first time around and appears to be this time as well. He has spoken with head coach Lon Kruger and assistant Lew Hill, according to the Las Vegas Sun.

“As soon as I announced I was transferring, one of my [high school] coaches told me they wanted to get in contact with me,” Thomas told the newspaper.

“It’s a very real option,” he said.

Thomas spent one year at Kansas in which he averaged 1.5 points and 2.0 rebounds. Next year he would be playing behind fellow sophomores Markieff and Marcus Morris, returning big man Cole Aldrich and probably incoming freshman Thomas Robinson as well.

MCGILL, MOCKFORD TO IONA

Iona coach Kevin Willard signed 6-foot-5, 205-pound shooting guard Rashard McGill of Massanutten Military Academy on Wednesday.

McGill is a versatile wing player capable of playing multiple positions for the Gaels.   His shooting and scoring ability make him a viable option at two guard while his size and strength will also allow him to see action at the forward position.  Massanutten’s leading scorer in 2008-09, McGill averaged 17.8 points per game in his post graduate year with the Colonels.   His top output was a 46-point performance including 6-for-9 from behind the arc.   At East Gadsden (Fla.) High in 2008 McGill led his team to a 21-2 record and averaged 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Iona also signed Ben Mockford, a 6-2 shooting guard from Shoreham-by-Sea, England who played at Apex Academies in Pennsauken, NJ.

“We are very excited to have Ben join our basketball family at Iona,” said Willard.  “As a very talented shooter with the ability to create his own shot, Ben will be a welcomed addition to our offense.”

Mockford, 19, played for Apex’ Red squad last season after graduating from Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, VA in 2008.  He averaged 31.5 points and six assists while shooting nearly 50 percent from behind the arc in his post graduate year with Apex.

McGill and Mockford will join Chris Pelcher (Albany, NY / Albany Academy) in Maroon & Gold this fall.  Red shirt freshmen Keon Williams of Hackensack, NJ and Kyle Smyth out of Don Bosco Prep join the three signees in the squad’s class of 2013

CHANEY TAKING VISITS

Florida transfer Allan Chaney of Baltimore will visit St. Joe’s this weekend and has several other visits lined up.

“He hasn’t taken any visits yet,” said Chaney’s travel team coach, Calvin Bunkley. “I think he’s going to St. Joe’s tomorrow [Thursday]. In the following two weeks he’s going to visit Virginia Tech, Temple and Providence. I think he’s choosing between Xavier, Seton Hall or Rutgers for his final visit.”

The 6-8, 220-pound Chaney was rated the No. 27 power forward in the Class of 2008 and will have to sit out a year after transferring.

“He’s looking to fit in with the team,” Bunkley said. “Location-wise he wants to be close to home. And he wants a coach that’s going to play inside-out. He’s  a face-up four.”

(Photos courtesy AP, Rivals, Oak Hill, Rashard McGill Facebook)