SMU eyes former conference

[PonyPride]

According to his Twitter account, Iona power forward Nelly Junior Joseph visited SMU.

As a junior in 2022-23, he averaged 14.9 points (third on the team) and a team-high 9.3 rebounds per game, and led the Gaels with 52 blocked shots. He shot .550 from the floor and .624 from the free throw line. His 42 steals were the third-highest total on the team.

His Iona bio was only updated after his freshman season:

AS A FRESHMAN (2020-21):
Was named MAAC Rookie of the Year, the fourth in program history. Joining Richie Simmonds (1984-85), Scott Machado (2008-09) and Schadrac Casimir (2014-15).
Appeared in 18 games and made 16 starts, averaged 11.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.
Ranked No. 3 on team in scoring, No. 1 in rebounding, blocks and field goal percentage, No. 2 in field goals made and No. 3 in minutes played.
Four-time MAAC Rookie of the Week.
Led MAAC rookies in points, rebounds, and field goal percentage.
Ranking top-five in MAAC in offensive rebounds, total rebounds, blocked shots and field goal percentage.
Scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds in collegiate debut at Seton Hall on Nov. 30.
Posted a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double, with a season-high four assists, along with four blocks at Hofstra on Dec. 5.
Scored nine points and grabbed eight rebounds at Fairfield on Dec. 12.
Posted a season-high 19 points with seven rebounds at Rider on Dec. 18.
Added 13 points and nine rebounds the next night on Dec. 19.
Recorded a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double vs. Coppin State on Dec. 23, recording a season-high rebounding total.
Had 15 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks vs. Manhattan on Feb. 12.
Added 11 points, six rebounds vs. the Jaspers the next night.
Scored 12 points at Quinnipiac on Feb. 17.
Had a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double, matched season-high point total and recorded a season-high five blocks vs. Monmouth on Feb. 19.
Posted nine points and nine rebounds vs. Quinnipiac in MAAC First Round on Mar. 9.
Grabbed eight rebounds vs. Siena in MAAC Quarterfinal on Mar. 10.
Netted 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds vs. Niagara in MAAC Semifinal on Mar. 12.
Posted a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double vs. Fairfield in MAAC Championship on Mar. 13.
Grabbed six rebounds vs. Alabama in NCAA Tournament on Mar. 20.

BEFORE IONA (NBA ACADEMY AFRICA):
Comes to Iona from the NBA Academy Africa, a program he joined in October 2018.
The NBA Academy Africa is an elite basketball training center in Saly, Senegal for the top male and female prospects throughout Africa and the first of its kind on the continent.
Competed in several international events including the 2018 Academy Games in Canberra, Australia and the same event in 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.
The African squad finished third in 2018 against teams from Australia, China, India and Mexico.
In December 2018, HE competed alongside top prospects from the league's academies in a series of exhibition games at the NBA G League Winter Showcase in Las Vegas.
Also played for the NBA Academies' select team in the 2018 and 2019 Tarkanian Classics prior to the G League Showcase.
In February 2019, participated in Basketball Without Borders Global camp in Charlotte during NBA All-Star Weekend.
In April 2019, he participated in the NCAA's Next Generation Sunday event at the Men's Final Four.
NBA Academies employ a holistic, 360-degree approach to player development with focuses on education, leadership, health and wellness, character development and life skills, including educational development for top male and female prospects from outside the U.S. and mark a signature elite player development initiative for the NBA.
Since October 2016, NBA Academies have been launched in Australia, China, India, Mexico and Senegal and more than 25 NBA Academies graduates have committed to NCAA D1 schools.

RICK PITINO ON NELLY JUNIOR JOSEPH:
"Nelly is one of the premier players to come out of Africa this year. He is a tremendous athlete who is great in the open court. He is a powerful player with a very good mid-range game."

[Charleston Pony]

Could be a nice replacement for Odigie

[HubbaHubba]

Title of thread??? Perhaps I'm dense (probably).

[ponyboy]

I’m lost too.

[DC-Pony]

Perhaps poster intended to name the thread, "SMU eyes former conference rookie of the year" and it just got cut off. But, whatever, I think that's the essence.

[PonyPride]

Perhaps poster intended to name the thread, "SMU eyes former conference rookie of the year" and it just got cut off. But, whatever, I think that's the essence.

That's exactly what it was ... and yes, it got cut off — my apologies.

Also, he committed Tuesday to New Mexico

[PonyTime]

Perhaps poster intended to name the thread, "SMU eyes former conference rookie of the year" and it just got cut off. But, whatever, I think that's the essence.

That's exactly what it was ... and yes, it got cut off — my apologies.

Also, he committed Tuesday to New Mexico

The ambiguousness of our future conference affiliation cannot be good for recruiting right now.

And he committed to the coach we should have hired a couple of years ago - Pitino Jr.

[Silk]

No. Jury is still out on Lanier, but it's hard to like Pitino 2.0