Future Battles for Pitino and the Gaels

By Matthew George

It’s been more than a month since this season of college basketball concluded abruptly due to the continuing spread of COVID-19. Although there hasn’t been any action on the floor ever since, the Iona Gaels and the front office have been going to work this offseason to help make the Gaels grow stronger.

With that being said, the team has announced their new 2020-2021 recruits that will be joining Pitino and the program. Pitino believes that “because of the circumstances that evolved with the retirement of Coach Cluess, it was a necessity in order to to maintain the excellence that he put forth over the last decade. I’m really looking forward to getting to work with the program as soon as our situation allows”, said Pitino.

Berrick JeanLouis is a 6’4” Junior Guard coming from his home state in Lehigh Acres, Florida. He averaged 12.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game with Florida Southwestern State College in Fort Myers. He led the team to a 29-2 record before the season got cut short due to the virus entering the NJCAA National Tournament. He is considered an athletic guard who can finish at the rim with his versatility and vertical as well as having outstanding defense.

Osborn Shema is another transfer Sophomore forward who is 7’1” who played for New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell. This past season, he averaged 10.6 points and 8.1 rebound per game. He was named All-WJCAC first team, WJCAC Defensive Player of the Year, and All-Region V. With a great perimeter stroke, athleticism, and shot blocking abilities, the agile seven-footer has much potential for the Gaels.

Robert Brown is a 6’9” Forward who has the potential of being a perimeter and shot blocker for the program. He has spent two and half years at New Mexico State University. In his limited action, he scored 38 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 59.1% from the field.

According to Rivals.com, Darreus Brown was ranked the 39thbest prospect in Texas after attending Pro-Vision Academy in Houston. At Mineral Area College, in Park Hills, Missouri, the 6’2” shooting guard averaged 16.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, shooting 52% from the field and 42% from downtown in his freshman year. He, then, transferred to Clarendon College and averaged 8.4 points per games while hitting 18 of 28 attempts from behind the arc in his 10 appearances. His floor spacing and shooting abilities will only aid the team’s scoring options.

Pitino has a bright future for all new recruits for this upcoming season. Hopefully, with the virus slowly diminishing it can be put into action.