RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Manhattan men’s basketball coach Steve Masiello announced the commitment of three recruits during the NCAA Early Signing Period for the 2012-13 season. Staten Island native Shane Richards (Staten Island, N.Y./York Prep) along with mid-west standouts Paul Bayt (Carmel, Indiana/Park Tudor) and CJ Jones (Chicago Illinois/Orr High School/St. Thomas More Preparatory) will join the Jaspers next fall.
“We are really excited about this class as it brings us much needed shooting and scoring power,” said Masiello. “It really solidifies our perimeter for our style of play. We have guys who play multiple positions; they all come from winning programs and have high basketball IQs.”
Bayt is a 6’4” shooting guard out of Park Tudor High School in Carmel, Ind. who helped lead the Panthers to a Class 2A State Championship in his junior year. Tabbed as one of the top shooters in the country, Bayt shot nearly 40% from beyond the arc last season averaging 14.9 points per game for head coach Ed Schilling. This summer he spent time working out with other Indiana college stars such as former Butler and current Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward.
“Paul is one of the purest shooters I’ve seen,” commented Masiello. “He comes from a terrific high school program and gives us a much needed outside scoring threat. He can really stretch defenses and open the court up. I’m really excited about his upside and his ability to get better as he enters the program.”
Jones, a 6’2” point guard from Chicago, Ill. played his first three years of scholastic ball at Orr High School. He is now playing for prep powerhouse St. Thomas More in Oakdale, Conn. Ranked in the top 50 at his position by ESPN.com; he is currently the 7th best prospect from Illinois. A pass-first point guard, Jones adds a high intensity defensive presence and blend of mid-range shooting along with an ability to finish at the rim.
“CJ is one of the best on-the-ball defenders in the country and he will fit in to our style of play greatly,” said Masiello. “He is one of the toughest pound-for-pound kids there is, a tremendous floor general and we see him being a guy that will be a major contributor for us.
Richards, out of York Prep High School in Manhattan, is a 6’6” small forward who played AAU ball for the Metro Hawks. He possesses a natural ability to score the basketball. Richards is one of the top high school players in the state who is a talented shot maker and can score in transition as well as in a set offense. He constantly improved his ability as a ball-handler rebounder and defender.
“Shane is a terrific hard-nosed kid who gives you everything he has on every play,” said Masiello on the New York product staying home. “He plays with confidence and an attitude that makes everyone around him better. His toughness is something that we are going to value as well as his ability to shoot the ball.”
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