Robert Morris men’s basketball working to bolster roster
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Robert Morris men’s basketball coach Andy Toole isn’t leaving any stone unturned as he tries to build his program back to where it once was in the Northeast Conference.
Toole and his staff are scouring the country looking to replenish a roster that saw seven players either graduate or transfer as the team prepares for its third season in the Horizon League.
Five players have signed on with the Colonials, and Toole said he’s still hoping to sign another interior player and perimeter player.
“That would get us to 13 players,” Toole said. “We’re trying to find players who are good people and good players and who have the right mindset when it comes to be part of a good program.
“They have to realize what it takes to work hard and when things get difficult how you respond to it.”
The players who have already signed are Trey James, a three-star transfer forward from Iona; two-star transfer guard Jackson Last from Salt Lake Community College (Utah); two-star guard Stephaun Walker from Washington, D.C.; three-star guard T.J. Wainwright from Los Angeles and Montverde Academy (Fla.), and two-star guard Ben Krystkowiak from San Diego and IMG Academy (Fla.).
The 6-foot-9 James, from Inez, Ky., played in 11 games and averaged 4.4 points at Iona. The 6-5 Last is from Hurricane, Utah. He averaged 9.2.
The 6-7 Walker played at Calvin Coolidge High School where he averaged 16.6 points and 19.7 rebounds. Wainwright is a 6-3 guard, and Krystkowiak is a 6-4 guard who is the son of former NBA player and Utah Jazz coach Larry Krystkowiak.
“There is more value being in the Horizon League,” Toole said. “Players see that they have a chance at advancing to the next level. It’s a good mid-major basketball league.
“We have to continue to track down guys from all over, guys who come to program and value the work it takes to be successful.”
Robert Morris, which finished 8-24 overall and 5-16 in league play last season, is beginning its third season in the Horizon League. The Colonials were Northeast Conference tournament champions during their final season in the league in 2020.