FORT COLLINS –– The Colorado State men’s basketball program acquired one of the most efficient shooters inside the transfer portal when former Illinois State guard Josiah Strong committed to the Rams on Thursday.
The 6-foot-4, 195-pound Minnesota native will travel to Fort Collins as an immediately eligible asset with one collegiate campaign remaining.
Strong knocked down 124-of-313 3-pointers (39.6%) over two seasons at ISU after landing with the Redbirds out of Iowa Western Community College.
Excited to announce I will be attending Colorado State University for my final year of eligibility. Ram nation, 2 locked in!!
@CSUMBasketball #Godspeed pic.twitter.com/nvFJaNdXy1
— Josiah Strong (@jbuckets5) May 12, 2022
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Though prolific from deep, the guard’s prowess throughout his two-campaign stint inside the Missouri Valley Conference didn’t solely pertain to long-range expertise. As a senior in 2021-22, Strong averaged 3.3 rebounds while also finishing second on ISU in assists (2.2 per contest) –– alongside his 11.5 points per game scoring average.
Beforehand, Strong posted similarly effective numbers across the board upon averaging 11.5 points, 2.7 assists and 2.6 rebounds per evening during the abbreviated 2020-21 season.
Overall, the well-traveled contributor departs ISU after scoring double-figures on 34 occasions and accruing five 20-plus-point efforts for the Redbirds in 55 contests.
Initially, Strong landed at Navy out of Champlin Park High School (Minnesota) in 2018-19, where he played 10.1 minutes per game off the bench during his lone season with the Midshipmen. The guard then enjoyed a dominant 2019-20 campaign inside the junior college realm at Iowa Western.
Strong selected the Rams over interest from several squads, including Minnesota –– which he traveled to for an official visit in mid-April.
The sharp-shooting guard constitutes CSU’s second addition through the transfer portal since 2021-22’s conclusion, joining Division-II All-American Patrick Cartier at Moby Arena. Meanwhile, head coach Niko Medved has witnessed four former players depart via the portal in guard Kendle Moore, forward Adam Thistlewood, forward Dischon Thomas and guard Jalen Scott.
Considering his capacity to light up the scoreboard from 3-point distance, Strong should see an opportunity to contribute impactfully for the Rams –– especially in light of Moore, CSU’s starting shooting guard, hitting the road.
Notable
On Monday, the CSU football team snatched a late 2022 commitment when linebacker DeAndre Gill expressed intentions to become a Ram via Twitter.
The 6-foot-5, 210-pound defender initially pledged to UCLA in May of 2021 en route to de-committing and eventually selecting the green and gold over several offers –– including UNLV and Washington.
247Sports.com lists the Washington native as a three-star prospect and the nation’s No. 106 2022 linebacker. Though Gill missed most of his senior campaign at Kentwood High School with a wrist injury, 247Sports still regards the linebacker as 2022’s No. 19 overall player from Washington.