College powerhouse star Geno wants to help Riders lift title
AMERICAN GUARD CRANDALL, 23, EXCITED AT MOVE TO LEICESTER
LEICESTER Riders have announced the signing of American guard Geno Crandall.
Crandall, 23, spent last season in the Czech Republic with Turi Svitavy, averaging 13.9 points per game and 3.7 assists.
In the US, he played for both North Dakota University and highly ranked Gonzaga in college.
Crandall averaged 14.3 points and four assists over three seasons at North Dakota, leading the side to the NCAA Tournament as a second year student.
He left North Dakota after his third year, transferring to American basketball college powerhouse Gonzaga.
Described as a leader and highlevel communicator in his one season with Gonzaga, Crandall will give Riders head coach Rob Paternostro great options at the guard spot in the Riders roster.
Crandall, who was born in Minnesota, is pleased to be moving to England.
He said: “I’m very excited to get to Leicester and help the Riders compete for a championship.
“I’m looking forward to working with the staff and the players in Leicester.
“I can’t wait to get on court and show what I can do.”
Paternostro said: “We are very happy to sign a player like Geno.
“He is a very talented player with pro experience who can play either guard position.
“Geno is a guy that has shown that he can fit into any team or situation thrown his way.
“After a great career at North Dakota it was very impressive to see how he fit in with Gonzaga, one of the best teams in US college basketball.
“It’s never easy to go to a new team with a different style of play but Geno was able to adapt very quickly.
“He has good size , is very athletic, and has great quickness.
“He has a high basketball IQ and good feel for the game which is evident when you watch him play.
“He can score, and we have seen that at the collegiate level and the pro level, but he also impacts the game in many other ways, which makes him a very well-rounded player.”
In other Riders news, American guard
Jonah Mathews has returned to America following the announcement of the NBA draft.
A number of NBA teams have made contact with the former USC captain and Riders agreed to let Matthews to head back to California to trials.
Riders said they wished Jonah all the best for his future career.