By Joe Budzelek
This summer feels different.
For the previous three offseasons, the standard of excellence that defined the modern era of Iona basketball under Tim Cluess and Rick Pitino has faded as lukewarm results on the court have led to impatience and concern throughout Gael Nation.
Yet this summer feels different.
Is it because Iona returns four scholarship players? Starting guard Kosy Akametu, fifth-year sharpshooter Luke Jungers, sophomore center Alliou Fall, and redshirt freshman forward Ore Odutayo comprise the first offseason in four years in which the Gaels return more than one scholarship player.
Is it because Iona's five-man transfer class brings more experience and proven college production than last year's group? Four of the five transfers have averaged at least nine points per game during a college season.
Is it because second-year head coach Dan Geriot now has a full calendar year under his belt?
Or is it because the coaching staff added Landry Kosmalski, a proven winner at Swarthmore who was named the 2020 NABC Division III National Coach of the Year?
Whatever the reason, this feels like the first offseason since Rick Pitino's final season in New Rochelle in which Gael Nation has legitimate reason for quiet confidence that the program is ready to reward the patience of a passionate fan base yearning for its next—and first Metro Conference championship.
After spending Friday afternoon at practice, I asked Geriot what steps the team needs to take to reach its ceiling this season.
“It's the defensive side of the ball," says Geriot. “When I think about the summers — Year One, Year Two — it’s a little different. Last year, it was more about figuring out, ‘Who am I coaching?’ In Year Two, you bring those guys back, you have a better identity of what we’re doing, and we have a better identity as a program of what we’re after.
“I think that’s where the defensive side has really stood out. The guys we recruited, especially, are above-average defenders, and the metrics on that side of the ball helped validate that.
“We have guys who are invested in doing it the right way during the summer and building the foundation of what we’re after. They feel that because they want to be that identity: defensive stoppers, rebounders, and then figuring out how we can maintain our pace as best we can.”
After gaining invaluable experience leading his first college program following a lengthy NBA assistant coaching career and a season as a G League head coach, Geriot enters Year Two with a much clearer perspective.
“I think the bigger thing for me was figuring out how you find consistency in the college routine," says Geriot. "We did a good job of putting that out there for the guys, but personally, it was about understanding how I follow my routine through the non-conference schedule versus the conference schedule.
“In the NBA, your routine is your routine. You have 82 games in six and a half months. Once the schedule comes out, I can tell you what time everyone is working out, what time everything is happening, all of that. Even something as simple as playing a home game — your shootaround might be at nine or 10 in the morning, then you go home for the afternoon and come back to the arena at three o’clock for a seven o’clock game.
“It’s a little different here. You have afternoon games, different schedules, and different variables. For me, that was probably the biggest thing. Looking back on it, I felt comfortable with my reflection of the year, but it was interesting to see where I was more of a roller coaster emotionally and with my routine than I probably needed to be.
“Now you have that year under your belt, and I think it’s about continuing to progress. I don’t think I progressed that as much last year. I was probably white-knuckling it a little too much—thinking, ‘This is how it has to be.’ Now I have a better understanding of how it needs to be, and our identity has followed that. My identity has followed that. I understand where the guys are coming from more, and I feel much more comfortable in that situation than I did last year.”
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| New assistant head coach Landry Kosmalski leads the team through an early practice defensive shell drill. |
Following the departure of assistant head coach Ronald Ramón to Pittsburgh, Iona filled the vacancy by hiring veteran coach Landry Kosmalski, who spent last season as Campbell's associate head coach after leading Swarthmore to four consecutive conference regular-season championships—the program's first since 1951.
Asked about the chemistry with his newest assistant, Geriot pointed to their shared basketball philosophies.
“It works so well because we were both part of intricate offensive systems that taught us how to move the ball, share the ball, think the game, and ultimately allow talent to flourish within those systems.
“Having that common denominator in our backgrounds has really helped us since he got here. He’s learning from me, I’m learning from him. I get a behind-the-scenes look at how he built Swarthmore—the similarities, the differences, and how that compares to what we’re building at Iona. That’s a big piece for me.
“I talk about the margins a lot, and he’s someone who is going to live in those margins with me. Even in practice today, you can see the cohesion we’re continuing to build together. I think that’s a big positive because our guys, even the returning players, have recognized it, understand it, and can see where we’re going.
“I think it’s another example of finding common denominators. We joke about how I’ve helped guys make a lot of money—guys who were role players who earned long-term contracts, and others who became draft picks and earned max contracts. Landry has done it with guys who came through Division III and went on to play professional basketball, chase national championships, and believe in something bigger than themselves.
“Those are the common denominators. We were both doing it in our own lanes, in our own silos, and now we get to do it together here at Iona. I think our guys are feeling that, and I think we’re feeling it more and more as we continue to go through this together.”
One hallmark of Geriot's first season was the staff's ability to identify under-the-radar talent and unlock new dimensions of those players' games, a reflection of his long background in NBA player development.
Asked about the similarities between developing players in the NBA and at Iona, Geriot emphasized one common theme.
“I think the sweat equity is probably the common denominator. The changes are probably more about understanding how you judge usage in the present moment.
“In the NBA, you have a lot of iterations of what your team looks like. In college, it’s different. You’re trying to get there faster because of the lack of games. Last year, being so new—with all the new guys as well—I think we could have done a better job of understanding usage. Not even determining it, but being more present with it.
“Maybe we were trying to get a guy into a different role that wasn’t even close to his current usage. Are we working him out and redeveloping him, giving him those reps in practice, and then not having it translate to the game? I think that’s where, because college basketball can have so many different styles, I’ve reflected on how we handled that last year.
“Now I have a better understanding of how I’m managing usage and what that means for certain guys. The layman’s term would probably be that their roles are clearer, but for me, it’s more nuanced because of how we distribute lineups, how we use guys, and how I get there mentally.
“Jungers is a great example. His usage went in a lot of different directions last year, and it’ll probably continue to be different from game to game this year. But I know him. The retention is there. I have a better feel for how I can affect that and develop him—probably more effectively—because he’s there with me. That’s the relationship part.
“The other common denominator is the sweat equity. We know where we’re at there. Because of that, the ebbs and flows don’t affect him as much. Last year, I think he felt those fluctuations because he was trying to prove himself when, in my mind, he had already proven himself. Toward the end of the year, I think he started to feel that consistency, and that benefited all of us.
“I think that’s where the radical transparency comes in. In Year One, the agreements were about belief, opportunity, and transparency—understanding how I could coach that. This year, the agreements are still belief and opportunity, but also narrowing things down so we’re on the same page faster.”
We'll dive deeper into usage and lineups later, but whether Jungers starts or comes off the bench, the fifth-year senior should once again be one of the conference's steadiest floor spacers after closing last season by scoring at least 12 points in five of Iona's final eight games.
After spending much of last season at the three, Geriot is excited to slide the 6-foot-5, 215-pound Akametu to his more natural shooting guard position. The Gaels' leading returning scorer gives Iona lineup flexibility, while his move to the backcourt is also a catalyst for the team's improved size, physicality, and defensive potential.
“I talk about failing correctly all the time, and Kosy's someone who really exemplified that," says Geriot. "He went through it. In the Sacred Heart game, he played fewer than 10 minutes. Earlier in the year after the Quinnipiac game, he was still trying to find his way coming back from the injury. He was just okay in those moments.
“But the reps he was getting in practice the next week, the next two weeks, the next three weeks—we started to see the process becoming correct for him. It just so happened that process was transitioning him into more of a ball handler and decision-maker, and I think that helped us tremendously.
“Kosy had his own identity grow throughout the year. Now, coming back, I think the best part is that he’s increased his capacity so much mentally. I’ll probably say this publicly for the first time: even I’ve been a little surprised by how much he’s grown. He’s there mentally with me more than I would have expected.
“It’s resiliency, but it’s also a willingness to make the right read. It’s not just a will to win. It’s a will to make the right read, believe in the process, and trust what we’re trying to do.
“Even today, I was on him a little bit because he was doing some things from last year—overhelping defensively. Now the whole idea is that we’re a better defensive team, so we don’t have to overhelp as much. That was part of his role last year. He was a starting power forward against Hofstra. But that versatility was obviously amazing.
“I always felt like I limited his capacity last year because we had to do so many different things. Now, his role is clearer, and the agreement of what he’s trying to accomplish is clearer. When I look at it now, his capacity has increased so much that the old phrase of ‘coach on the floor’ really applies. He’s seeing the game the way I’m seeing it, understanding the process, and he’s improving his teammates because the process feels correct when they play with him.”
Akametu's backcourt mate will be Drexel transfer Kevon Vanderhorst. The 6-foot-2 Raleigh, N.C., native orchestrated Drexel's deliberate, defensive-minded offense, where the Dragons' half-court style showcased his poise as a ball handler and decision-maker. Vanderhorst shot an efficient 56 percent inside the arc last season, using his craft and composure to facilitate the offense. While his three-point shot remains a work in progress, Geriot is especially excited about his leadership, maturity, and defensive steadiness.
“For me, the personality piece is about being able to connect with a player in an off-the-floor conversation, even during his visit," says Geriot.
“With a point guard, especially, maturity is a huge thing for me. But it’s also his curiosity, his openness, and his willingness to listen and communicate.
“Communication here isn’t just talking. It’s also listening. Being a true leader isn’t just about giving speeches or being the loudest voice. It’s about understanding what’s actually going on.
“I joke about all the pregame speeches you hear at previous stops—‘Let’s go get this one’—but leadership isn’t just about saying the right thing. It’s about listening.
“On Kevon’s visit, he struck me as such an interesting person because of his curiosity about me, my family, and my life away from basketball. There was an openness and a back-and-forth in our conversations that really stood out.
“I remember thinking, ‘Yeah, this is going to be my point guard. I think we’re going to win a lot of games together.’ I think he’s going to be one of those players where, when he’s done playing—whether that’s overseas, the NBA G League, or wherever his career takes him—we’re still going to be having dinners together years down the road. When he’s 30, I wouldn’t be surprised if I know his kids.
“That’s the part that really stood out to me during his visit. That’s when I knew this was what we were doing. If he wanted to choose this, I was going to be as radically transparent with him as possible about the situation. He said yes, and I’m grateful for that.”
Idaho State transfer Martin Kheil projects as one of Iona's primary floor spacers on the wing. The 6-foot-5, 205-pound Czech native started the vast majority of his games during his lone season at Idaho State, where he shot 35.3 percent from three-point range, with nearly 80 percent of his field-goal attempts coming from beyond the arc. Geriot believes Kheil's professional approach and feel for the game give him the potential to expand beyond the role of spot-up shooter within Iona's offensive system.
“Martin’s been in a lot of professional systems, and even his visit felt very professional—the way he approached everything," says Geriot. "When we worked him out and had conversations afterward, it felt like I was coaching one of the guys I had coached over the previous decade [in the NBA].
“He approaches his game that way, and that’s why I think he transitions so well into what we’re trying to build.
“Even today, you saw more comfort with our spacing and timing. Early on, he was such a different mover than what we’ve had before. Toby and Luke were terrific size shooters and spacers, but the way Martin moves before he even gets to a shot is different. We have to find the right balance for him.
“It’s not about him changing our system, but some of his instincts—his aggressiveness to get out of the corner and create movement—are exactly what we’re looking for. That’s something he gives us that we didn’t have last year.
“That’s where his professional mentality really stands out. He punches the clock, he sees incremental gains, and he understands the process right away. He’s also someone I rely on a lot verbally and in communication during the summer—not necessarily as the loudest leader, but because he has a different level of emotional intelligence. He can really feel how the group is doing.”
We'll discuss Iona's young backcourt later, but the veteran trio of Akametu, Vanderhorst, and Kheil is expected to shoulder the bulk of the minutes. Their presence also reflects a noticeable shift in the roster's overall size, as the shooting guard position will largely be occupied by 6-foot-5 players, whether it's Akametu, Kheil, or Swiss freshman Oliver Sassella.
Like the backcourt, Iona's retooled frontcourt features more size, physicality, and defensive versatility than last year's group.
After beginning his collegiate career under Rick Pitino, Sadiku Ibine Ayo returns to New Rochelle following three seasons at St. John's. The 6-foot-6, 215-pound Ghana native comes back with a stronger frame, greater confidence, and increased leadership. His combination of size, athleticism, and versatility gives him the potential to become one of the Metro's premier one-through-five defenders.
“The three-point shot is obviously something we’re continuing to explore with Sadiku," says Geriot. "At St. John’s, he was in more of a role-player position—a three-and-D guy—and his minutes reflected how much he impacted winning. When he affected winning, he played a lot.
“The biggest thing for us is understanding what his game can look like here. Our spacing is different, and he’s allowed to explore more. Is it an extra dribble? Is it posting up more? Is it driving and kicking and creating advantages? We’re trying to figure out where his instincts fit best.
“That’s why it was so important that he came back. He could have gone a lot of different places, but he believed in our foundation and how we develop players. He’s been here every day competing, asking questions, and trying to figure out how he can help us win.
“He’s an unbelievable human being. His consistency, his joy, and his approach are everything we want to build here. Now it’s about putting him in the best position to help himself and help us.”
Reports indicate Ayo turned down more lucrative NIL offers from several mid-major and high-major programs to return to Iona. Now back where his college career began, the fifth-year senior is a leading candidate to earn a starting role. With three NCAA Tournament appearances on his résumé, his championship experience should prove invaluable both on and off the floor.
Holy Cross transfer Aiden Disu will also compete for a starting spot in the frontcourt. His positional versatility, ball-handling ability, and offensive upside make him one of the roster's most intriguing additions.
“Aiden's switchability is incredible. Him, Sadiku, and Kosy on the same side of the floor can be pretty difficult to deal with," says Geriot.
“With Aiden, the question is, ‘How good does he want to be?’ That’s where I’m at with him. His situation is a little like Sadiku’s, but it’s different because Aiden is only in his second year of college. Early in practice, his game was about driving and kicking, but we can do a lot with him. He’s a Swiss Army knife. You hear all the typical things—the intangibles, the coaches’ quotes—but the biggest thing is how much he wants to continue to grow.
“I think his process of failing correctly is going to be tied to answering that question. He has defensive rebounding ability, he can push the ball, he can bring it up in transition—there are things we’re going to unlock and see where they take him.
“Then the next piece is figuring out where he wants to go offensively. I think he’s a very good shooter. I think he has really good instincts. He’s a high-IQ player who understands what we’re trying to do.
“I actually worked out his brother [former Texas Longhorn Dylan Disu] during his Cavs draft process, and we were able to talk high-level basketball. Aiden gets it. Now it’s about getting the reps, exploring those possibilities, and balancing that with our goal of competing for a championship at a high level—something I think he can impact.
“For me, it’s about raising his floor so he can help us win and then seeing how high that ceiling can go. Ultimately, that’s going to come down to his comfort level, our relationship, and how much we’re willing to continue pushing that ceiling together.”
As fifth-year seniors, Jungers and Ayo may enter the season with the inside track on starting roles because of their proven production and reliability. However, Disu flashed significant upside during his freshman season at Holy Cross. The 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward averaged 15.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks over the Crusaders' final nine games while starting at small-ball center, shooting 48 percent from three-point range during that stretch. He also ranked 19th in the Patriot League in free-throw rate and shot 83.0 percent from the line in conference play, traits that could make him a valuable late-game option capable of drawing fouls and converting at the stripe.
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