Over the last forty plus years, Iona has steadily built a legacy as one of the most consistently prominent mid-majors in the nation. The groundwork was set by the legendary Jim Valvano while notable coaches like Pat Kennedy, Tim Welsh, Jeff Rutland and Kevin Willard helped keep the Gaels as one of the best teams in the MAAC.
The most successful coach in Iona history, and arguably in the entire history of the MAAC, is Tim Cluess, who led the Gaels throughout the 2010s to the tune of four regular season championships and five NCAA tournament appearances in just nine seasons. Health concerns forced Cluess to miss the entire 2019-2020 season and then ultimately resign in March 2020, a day before the Iona, amidst the global onset of the pandemic, shocked the college basketball world by hiring Hall of Famer Rick Pitino as his replacement.
While his career is tainted with indecorous recruiting scandals from his time at Louisville, Pitino’s coaching abilities are undeniable. His local ties (born in New York City, raised in Long Island, coached the New York Knicks) enticed Iona and their desire to continue their dominance in the MAAC and relevance in the national level.
Almost immediately after his hiring, Pitino and his staff led a recruiting blitzkrieg, adding eight new recruits that not only helped Iona earn a tournament bid in Pitino’s first season but also lay the foundation for Iona’s future. Three of Pitino’s recruits from his 2020 class remain with the team for this upcoming season:
Originally from Benin City, Nigeria and recruited from the NBA Academy Africa, Nelly Junior Joseph has been the most successful recruit from Pitino’s first class. Named the MAAC Rookie of the Year, the fourth in program history, Joseph was named to the All-MAAC First Team his sophomore season, averaging 13.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 54.8% from the field. The 6’9 240 junior combines high-major size with underrated athleticism that allows him to play with pace in Iona’s offense that was rated by KenPom to have the 42nd fastest tempo. While he does not have three point range, Joseph’s ability to shoot from the elbow allows enough space for rim attackers and slashers to do what they do best.
Backing up Joseph is fellow ‘20 recruit Osborn Shema, a 7’0 220 big, originally from Rwanda and was recruited from New Mexico Military Institute, picking Iona over Florida State and Rutgers. Starting both seasons recovering from injuries and Joseph’s success limited Shema’s playing time, but his athleticism, comfort shooting from deep and rim protection provide the Gaels with a good insurance piece should Joseph ever need to miss time.
Returning for his extra year of eligibility, the last returning ‘20 commit is Berrick JeanLouis. The 6’4 200 guard started all but three games last season, bringing a persistent defensive effort and high-flying athleticism tailor fit for Pitino’s fast-paced offense.
A big part of the 2021-2022 team’s success was thanks to the stellar backcourt play of AAC grad transfers Tyson Jolly (SMU) and Elijah Joiner (Tulsa). Respectively voted to the All-MAAC First and Second Team, the duo averaged a combined 26.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 7.3 free throw attempts per game. In particular, Jolly was the team’s go-to bucket-getter who possessed the fearless disposition when needing to play hero ball, riling up the home crowd at key moments late in the game.
With three key pieces to the frontcourt returning, the performance of Iona’s revamped backcourt will be a major factor this season, particularly in how the Gaels perform early in their non-conference schedule. More on that later.
After a promising freshman season, William Clayton Jr. is primed to take a major step in his sophomore year and hopefully seize a starting role from Day 1. Playing sixteen minutes-per-game as a depth piece behind Jolly and Joiner, Clayton’s per-40 stats show an efficient three-level combo guard with ability to dish and defend (18.1 points, 3.9 assists, 1.9 steals, 2.3 made threes and 4.6 made free throws while shooting 51.2 2p%, 35.7 3p% and 78.7 ft%.
Along with Clayton Jr., a trio of additions will compete for starting backcourt roles. The veteran of the three is Daniss Jenkins, a 6’3 175 transfer from Odessa College with two seasons of eligibility remaining. Playing his first two seasons at Pacific, Jenkins was named to the WCC All-Freshman list and averaged 12.2 points, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game as a sophomore. A poor long-distance shooter at Pacific (24.0 3p%), Jenkins will look to carry over his three-point improvement from his time at Odessa (1.6 threes made per game at 40.3%) to help him earn a starting role with the Gaels.
Originally a three-star recruit for Missouri, Anton Brookshire joins Iona with three years of eligibility remaining. In limited time last season, 6’1 175 guard struggled from three (4 for 26) but was a good shooter in high school and possessed a willingness to play downhill with the awareness to read the situation well and decide whether to attack the rim or kick out to his teammates.
Originally committed to play at Oregon State, incoming freshman Cruz Davis is, according to 247, the second highest rated recruit in Iona’s history. Originally from Texas and finishing his high school career at basketball powerhouse Huntington Prep, the 6’3 170, Davis has a smooth lefty stroke, but needs to hit the weight room in order to help absorb contact when attacking the rim. Considering the talent added into the program, Davis is the least likely of the five guards mentioned to earn a starting role, but his upside is immense.
The backcourt quintet of Clayton, JeanPierre, Brookshire, Jenkins and Davis offers a variety of rotations for Pitino to mix and match. The most likely starting lineup from Day 1 is Junior Joseph at the post, Slazinski at the stretch 4 (8.4p, 34 3p%) with JeanLouis, Jenkins and Clayton Jr. in the backcourt.
Helping lead the revamped backcourt is new assistant coach Taliek Brown, UConn's all-time assist leader. The captain and starting point guard of UConn's 2004 National Championship team, Brown worked the last three seasons as UConn's Director of Player Development. When Brown started for the Huskies, their offensive pace ranked within the top-30 for two seasons, valuable personal experience he can share with Iona's guards.
In June, Norfolk State grad transfer Jalen Hawkins verbally committed to Iona. While he is not currently listed on the school’s 22-23 roster, if eligible, he would also be a major contributor to the backcourt and a possible starter. Voted into the All-MEAC Third Team last year, Hawkins has been a consistent scorer in each of his two seasons for the MEAC champs, averaging 12.9 points and shooting 53.7 2p% and 35.7 3p% last season.
Challenged with the 65th most difficult non-conference schedule last season, Pitino has yet again done an excellent job scheduling this upcoming season. Below is their most up to date non-conference schedule, along with each teams respective KenPom rating from last year (in parentheses):
11/7 v Penn (211)
11/11 @ Hofstra (120)
11/18 v Vermont (54) at Mohegan Sun
11/26 v Santa Clara (76) in Las Vegas
12/6 v Saint Louis (68)
12/11 v St. Bonaventure (78) in Brooklyn
12/18 @ New Mexico (161). The Pitino Bowl
12/22-12/25 in the Diamond Head Classic
Three games against against a field that includes George Washington (226), Hawaii (169), Pepperdine (279), Seattle (139), SMU (62), Utah State (60) and Washington State (44)
TBD v Seton Hall (52) in New York
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