NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - Iona University head coach Tobin Anderson announced the signing of three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2024-25 season. Justin Menard (Haddam, CT), Jacob Hogarth (Hillburn, NY) and JoJo Wallace (New Milford, CT) have committed to join the program next season.
 
"All three guys are great teammates, hard workers and culture guys," Anderson said about the incoming trio. "They all love basketball, are always in the gym and all very talented. They fit for our system, our style, and our culture very well and will make us better the minute they walk on campus. We're excited to add them to our mix look to all three to have major contributions to our program right away."

JACOB HOGARTH

Jacob Hogarth is a 6-9 versatile forward hailing from Rockland County, New York.
 
Hogarth transferred to South Kent in Connecticut in 2022-23 and helped lead the squad to a NEPSAC Class-AAA Championship. He transferred to South Kent after playing his first two seasons at Stepinac Hish School in White Plains.
 
Hogarth is a versatile defender capable of altering shot and forcing turnovers. He moves well and is very strong in the post. Hogarth is ranked No. 6 in Connecticut in the Class of 2024 and No. 20 in New England by the New England Recruiting Report.
 
Hogarth is teammates at South Kent with fellow 2024-25 signee Jojo Wallace. He also played in the same New Heights Lightning and Middlesex Magic AAU programs with Justin Menard.

ANDERSON ON HOGARTH

"Jacob is a guy we recruited very heavily, and we think he is an extremely multi-talented athlete," said Anderson. "Jacob is a hard-nosed guy who can do a lot of different things offensively and defensively. He will fit perfectly in how we play."

JUSTIN MENARD

Justin Menard is a 6-3 point guard from Connecticut. He is currently entering his second season at St. Thomas More School in Oakdale. Menard had a standout 2022-23 campaign season and was named All-NEPSAC Class-AAA Honorable Mention. Highlights included a HoopsFest Player of the Game honor for his 22-point, 10-rebound, four-assist performance against Hotchkiss in December, helping lead his squad to a Founders Tournament Championship in January and a Connecticut All-Star selection for the 2023 JCC Schoolboy Classic in March.
 
Menard began his high school career at Xavier High School in Middletown, where he was named team MVP, Conference Player of the Year and All-State honors as a sophomore. He then transferred to Loomis Chaffee School to compete at the NEPSAC Class-A level where he first caught the eye of Anderson. He is described as having great size for the point guard position and can score from all three levels. His basketball IQ and work-ethic have also been praised.
 
Medard looks to join a succession of standout performers for Iona men's basketball that played for legendary head coach Jere Quinn at St. Thomas More, a list that includes Anthony Bruin, Tre Bowman, E.J. Crawford, and A.J. English. He also joins his sister Katie at Iona, a women's soccer, and track & field student-athlete currently in her sophomore year in New Rochelle.

ANDERSON ON MENARD

"Justin is an unbelievable person," said Anderson. "I saw him when he was sophomore in high school, and I always wanted to coach him, and we now have the opportunity. He has an incredibly high basketball IQ, can shoot it, can pass it, and knows how to play. He brings all the intangibles to the table."

JOJO WALLACE

Jojo Wallace is a 6-3 scoring guard who also hails from Connecticut. Wallace returns for his third year at South Kent School where he will team with fellow incoming recruit Hogarth in 2023-24. Last season, he competed with South Kent's first team and earned New England Basketball's Most Improved Player of the Year. He was a standout at the National Prep Showcase and HoopHall Prep showcase during the season. Wallace enrolled at South Kent for the 2021-22 season and led the development team in scoring while reclassifying to the Class of 2024.
 
Wallace began his high school career competing in the CIAC for New Milford High School. He averaged 21 points per game as a freshman and had several 30+ point efforts during his sophomore campaign. At New Milford, he was named to the 2021 All-Southwest Conference First Team and CHSCA Division 3 All-State First Team. Described as a pure scorer, Wallace is another three-level scorer in the incoming class for the Gaels. He is great in transition and finishes well at the rim with both hands.
 
Wallace is the son of former Syracuse standout, seven-year NBA standout, and New York Knicks first round draft pick John Wallace. South Kent School is the alma mater for former Iona star and three-time MAAC Champion Schadrac Casimir.

ANDERSON ON WALLACE

"Jojo is a tremendous scorer," said Anderson. "He can make plays for himself and for others and is just a basketball junkie. Jojo comes from a great basketball family and is going to have an impact on us right away."

SOCIAL MEDIA

Be sure to follow Iona University athletics on all social media platforms:
Iona Athletics: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Email Updates)
Iona Men's Basketball: Twitter, Facebook. Instagram and YouTube (Email Updates)

Tweet #GaelNation
Tweet #MAACHoops

Follow @IonaGaelsMBB
Follow @IonaGaels