St. Joe’s picked up a tough, gritty New York point guard Friday when Shavar Newkirk of Cardinal Hayes pledged to the program.
“I picked St. Joe’s because I created a relationship with the head coach [Phil Martelli],” the 6-foot, 170-pound Newkirk told SNY.tv.
“They extended the reach of communication between my family and Coach Martelli. He felt I would be a great fit for his program and he really wanted me to come to his school. He came to every event and called me every night. I can’t turn down a guy that my best interests.”
Newkirk, Class of 2014, said he also considered Towson, Iona, Iowa State and Providence. He averaged 17 points and 8 assists last team en route to All-City honors.
“Shavar is an excellent student and point guard and St. Joe’s is lucky to have him,” Cardinal Hayes coach Joe Lods told SNY.tv. “I am excited to see him go from a great school here at Hayes to another in St. Joe’s. The Atlantic 10 is one of the finest leagues in the country.”
Said Team Scan coach Terrance “Munch” Williams: “He brings the ability to make others around him better and he brings a winning mindset to the team and a will to remain coachable in times of adversity.”
