Rick Pitino adds two bigs to Iona’s recruiting class
By ADAM ZAGORIA
Rick Pitino continues to fill out his roster for his first season as head coach at Iona.
Pitino added his fourth and fifth commits in the 2020 class Wednesday with the additions of 7-foot-1 Osborn Shema and 6-9 Johan Crafoord.
Shema, a native of Rwanda, averaged 10.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.9 blocks last season at New Mexico Military Institute. He has three years of eligibility.
Rutgers, Central Florida, Florida State, Western Kentucky and New Mexico were also involved for Shema.
“He’s going to bring a very unique skillset for a big,” New Mexico coach Sean Schooley said. “He’s very, very skilled. He’s got a tremendous IQ for the game and a natural IQ. He gets it and is a very skill passer. His ability to run the floor from rim to rim, I haven’t seen it in a long, long time in a big like that.
“He’s going to bring problems to people because he’s really not a low-post five. He’s very disruptive because he can shoot over you outside. He jumps extremely well, he led our conference in blocked shots. He has tremendous timing. He’s going to bring a lot of good things for Iona basketball.”
Crafoord is a native of Sweden who played with at Shema at Gloveprep Christian Academy (FL) and also for the NY Rens AAU program. He averaged 23 points and 10 rebounds at Gloveprep.
“Rick Pitino is a lifetime dream to have as a coach,” Gloveprep coach Frank Glover said.
They join guards Tahlik Chavez, Ryan Myers and Berrick JeanLouis in Iona’s 2020 class.
I am ecstcatic to announce that I am committing to Iona University! I would like to thank my dad and Coaches Steve Lowry and Chuck Alston for always being supportive. Thanks to the coaching staff as well and most of all GO GAELS!!! @VerbalCommits @IonaGaelsMBB pic.twitter.com/sHgeRjITHC
— johancrafoord (@johancrafoord) March 25, 2020
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