NCAA Basketball: Analyzing finalists for UNLV grad transfer Jonah Antonio
Sharpshooter Jonah Antonio has three NCAA Basketball programs to choose from as his final destination. Which of them could be his best fit?
It has been quite the NCAA Basketball journey for Jonah Antonio. After starting and scoring double figures as a freshman at Mount Saint Mary’s, the 6’5 guard elected to go the JUCO route, where he starred at South Plains College. He became one of the top prospects a year ago, where he picked UNLV.
Antonio became a rotation player for the Rebels, averaging 6.9 ppg and 2.4 rpg in 22 mpg, splitting time between starting and coming off the bench. He suffered a thumb injury in the non-conference, which set him back shooting-wise for the following month. His overall shooting numbers weren’t what was expected (31% from the field and 32% from three-point range) but between his thumb and the turbulent season overall that UNLV had, it can be explained why certain things happened.
But when healthy and confident, Antonio can be an impactful shooter for his new home, which would be his fourth in four years. There are three finalists (BYU, DePaul and Rhode Island) in the running for the guard/wing and after over a month in the portal, could be making a decision soon. Here’s a look at Antonio’s fit with all three.
BYU Cougars
It’s not surprising that a guy who attempted over 90% of his shots last season from three-point range would be interested in joining the team who was ranked No. 1 as a group. The Cougars lose elite shooters TJ Haws, Jake Toolson and Zac Seljaas so adding one with t potential of Antonio make sense. But BYU is in more need of a ball distributor than a wing and with Connor Harding and incoming JUCO transfers Spence Johnson and Gideon George could be fighting for playing time. They also added former high school teammate Matt Haarms from Purdue, which could help in their pursuit of Antonio.
DePaul Blue Demons
DePaul is a finalist for not only Antonio but also Monmouth grad transfer guard Ray Salnave, more of a ball-handler than one who plays off-ball. Depending on who commits first, the other will have an easier decision to make. Antonio would fit well with the Blue Demons, playing off leading point guard Charlie Moore and providing depth alongside D-II transfer Courvoisier McCauley. Plenty of playing time available and being able to play in the Big East is a selling point from DePaul.
Rhode Island Rams
Similar to UNLV, the Rams also had a number of players who left the program this offseason. The biggest domino to fall is star guard Fatts Russell, who averaged over 20 ppg and is still in the NBA Draft process. Whether he stays or goes, Rhode Island would need a shooter in Antonio on the wings to provide shooting, an area the team ranked in the 300s last season.
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The stock for Antonio fell during conference play but when in a rhythm is one of the best three-point shooters in the country, He’s capable of turning the tide of any game and would be an asset for any of these NCAA Basketball programs. DePaul and their pursuit of another guard is key in this process but joining the top shooting team in the country (BYU) or the potential of playing time (Rhode Island) are going to come into play. Let’s see which of these teams lands the former Rebel.