CEDAR FALLS — Northern Iowa men’s basketball confirmed the signing of Iowa Central Community College guard Tray Croft to a national letter of intent on Wednesday.
The announcement came along with official announcements of three spring signees: Pepperdine transfer Trae Berhow, junior college (Panola) transfer Shandon ‘Biggie’ Goldman and Croft.
Croft joins the Panthers after two seasons at Iowa Central, where he broke the school’s single-season scoring record. The 6-foot guard averaged 27.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4 assists this past season as the Tritons finished 21-12. When asked what helped him make his decision, he had a common response among UNI recruits.
“I mean, the way they welcomed me, the team (and) all the coaches,” Croft said. “They said they like the way I play and that I could be a special part of the team.”
As a junior college transfer the Anniston, Ala., native will be eligible to play immediately. He joins a re-shaped backcourt after Hunter Rhodes’ graduation and Juwan McCloud’s transfer last month. With consensus top-100 recruit AJ Green already signed, Croft liked what he heard from the Panther coaches and is eager to play alongside the former Cedar Falls standout.
“I feel like I can bring a lot of things to the team,” Croft said. “I just stay in the gym. Try to get in there every night and work on my jumpshot and different areas that need improvement. I feel like if (Green) plays the one then I can play the two. He’ll help me to score and I can help him to score.”
With the addition of Croft the Panthers have one open scholarship left for the 2018 class. It’s unclear if Ben Jacobson and his staff will make use of the scholarship or bank it for 2019.