Iona has landed a pledge from Eastern Kentucky transfer Asante Gist, who will enroll now and be eligible in December.
Gist said associate head coach Jared Grasso believes he can play a Momo Jones type role in their up-tempo offense.
“Just the system and I wanted to get back closer to home,” the 5-foot-10, 180-pound East Orange, N.J. said. “They have guys playing overseas and in the NBA, they really sold me on that. Coach [Tim] Cluess really reminds of coach [Bob] Hurley. It felt like a family. I felt very welcome and I can play my game and show what I can do on the court.”
The former Roselle (N.J.) Catholic and St. Anthony’s standout averaged 15.9 points and 3.8 assists per game as a freshman but was hobbled by a right ankle injury and played in just six games as a sophomore, averaging 8.0 points and 2.7 assists. He could obtain a medical waiver to play at the start of the 2018-19 season.
“We’re trying to get a waiver for me to start at the beginning of next year,” he said, adding that he’s currently doing rehab on it.
Photo: AllKentuckySports.com
