Justice Shoats is wrapping up his final exams at Lock Haven University and preparing for a new journey in his collegiate career.
The Holy Redeemer graduate entered the transfer portal in hopes of achieving his dream of playing Division I college basketball.
All it took was another guard with local connections to help him get there. Shoats recently announced he will leave Lock Haven and transfer to Siena, where former Bishop Hannan and Syracuse University star and longtime assistant coach Gerry McNamara was hired as head coach at Siena last month.
"I really liked the program. I like the coach and the facilities," Shoats said in a phone interview. "I just like everything."
Within 24 hours of entering the transfer portal, Shoats said he received text messages and instant messages from approximately 16 Division I schools. But it was Siena that caught his attention the most.
While his relationship with McNamara is relatively fresh, Shoats did say the two crossed paths when Shoats played AAU basketball while attending Holy Redeemer. McNamara was in attendance to recruit Shoats' friend, but Shoats said McNamara asked a few questions about him.
"I didn't get to know him too well," Shoats said of McNamara. "He was asking questions about me. We didn't talk too much."
Shoats started all 29 games for Lock Haven this season. He led the team in scoring with 20.4 points per game. At the end of the season, he felt there was no better time than now to test the waters and see if he can play at college basketball's highest level.
"I think it is all about opportunity," Shoats said. "I didn't get there out of high school. I came to Lock Haven and it happened now. I just have to go out and do what I do best. It feels great. I can't wait to get settled there."
That process will begin later this month. Shoats said he is one of approximately 10 players Siena is bringing in for McNamara's first season. Shoats will enter Siena with two years of eligibility remaining.
"When I went on my visit, we were talking basketball, the program and things like that," Shoats said. "He was telling my where I fit in in the program and how I will fit in with the guys he is bringing in. He told me he needed a guard who can go score anytime and I guy who can play defense on both sides. He wants me to be involved as a scorer and a playmaker. I think I fit that role well."
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