New Rochelle’s top two seniors are still uncommitted to play ball in college but it appears both are getting closer.
Antoine Mason (right, in white), who was picked yesterday to play in the Jordan Classic regional game, has received a lot of attention from Division I schools. The senior has already made an official visit to Niagara, and, according to coach Bill Murphy, plans to visit New Hampshire, LIU and Quinnipiac. At the moment, Niagara is considered the favorite for Mason.
The schools in the mix for A.J. Burton are Division IIs, led by American International College and the University of District Columbia, which is coached by former Iona College coach Jeff Ruland. Murphy said Burton still must be cleared by the NCAA clearinghouse but he sounded hopeful.
Additionally, Murphy hopes seniors Mike Dwyer and Steve Whittingham can attend a prep school.
9 Comments
Not saying that Mason’s the answer, but why is Iona not involved in recruiting locals anymore? Aside from Alejo, iona just isn’t targeting local guys anymore. I think Ruland really did some irreparable damage with the local ties Iona used to have.
BLAMING RULAND FOR DAMAGING LOCAL TIES IS RIDICULOUS. THERE IS A NEW COACH WITH NEW TIES. MAYBE THE CURRENT IONA STAFF DOESNT WANT TO DEAL WITH THE LOCAL KIDS OR DOESNT THINK CERTAIN PLAYERS ARE GOOD ENOUGH.
P.S. RULAND HAS 3 MAAC CHAMPIONSHIPS UNDER HIS BELT – WOW THAT’S A LOT OF DAMAGE.
Ruland had the majority of his success with guys like Nakeia Miller who was a Tim Welsh signee. Ruland fanned out so quickly and left the program in such a bad state and burned bridges with Mt. Vernon. Notice how no MV guys have signed with Iona since I believe Greg jenkins?
3 MAAC CHAMPIONSHIPS
Yeah…and now he can’t sniff a decent job.
Just what is the Univeristy of the District of Columbia anyway??
Ruland ran the Iona program into the ground and is now where he belongs….The powerhouse UDOC, a no name school, with a no name coach.
Ionas two starting guards are from St. Patricks and St. Benedicts in Jersey, they have couple other guys from the city as well. The Iona coaches feel that the players in the area right now don’t fit into the program or into the MAAC. Just because players from Westchester aren’t going there doesn’t mean they aren’t recruiting the area, North Jersey and NYC make up one of the most talent rich areas in the country.
Hoops 1,
Dexter Grey transferred to Iona from St Johns. If I’m not mistaken there was some issue between MV coaches/Ruland.
Greg,
Good points. I think the “right fit” is a big part of it. Also, a lot of the best local players recently have been above the MAAC level. And for MAAC level players, there is a lot of competition from all the MAAC schools, NEC schools, etc.
3 MAAC CHAMPIONSHIPS AND PROBABLY HAS A LOT MORE MONE THEN YOU.
CAN’T WAIT UNTIL IONA GETS BACK TO THE NCAA TOURNAMENT. THEIR BEST CHANCE IS IF MCAFFREY TAKES THE SETON HALL JOB!