New basketball blood at Manhattan

Since being hired as the Manhattan College head women’s basketball coach back in April, Heather Vulin has been busy putting her stamp on the Jaspers program. This past week she added her first batch of recruits with the arrival of Alex Smith, Gabby Cajou and KellyAnn O’Reilly.

Smith, a 6-foot-4-inch center who played her high school ball at perennial Public School Athletic League (PSAL) powerhouse Murry Bergtraum in lower Manhattan, comes to Riverdale after transferring from Middle Tennessee State University following her freshman season. During her high school career Smith also played with the prestigious New York Gauchos travel team. Smith becomes the first player recruited by Vulin.

“My staff and I are extremely excited to have Alex join our program and be our first official recruit under my direction,” Vulin said. “It is a priority for me to recruit from New York City and the tristate area first. We want to keep our local talent home and in a Manhattan uniform.”

Smith’s size will be a major plus for Manhattan, as quality big players are rare in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).

“Alex is literally a big recruit for us with an imposing 6-foot-4 frame that will be a very tough matchup in the MAAC,” Vulin said. “We are happy that she wanted to come back to New York and be part of something special here at Manhattan. She will be a key addition to our roster.”

But it will be a while before fans see Smith suit up in the Jaspers green and white, as she must sit out this upcoming season under NCAA transfer rules. Smith will be ready for the 2017-18 campaign and will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Cajou comes to Manhattan via Stony Point, N.Y. where she starred at North Rockland High School. The 5-foot-4-inch guard was chosen by the Journal News as the Rockland County Player of the Year last season, when she helped lead the Raiders to their first 20-win season and Section I finals appearance in 15 years.

Cajou averaged 17.5 points a game last season and earned All-League and All-County honors. She also excelled in the classroom, as she landed a spot on the All-Academic Team last season. And if you’re a fan of speed in your game, Cajou just may be a must-see player this coming season.

“Gabby is a jet with the basketball and her quickness will add another dimension to the team at the point guard spot,” Vulin said.

O’Reilly, the third member of Vulin’s inaugural recruiting class, is a 5-foot-7-inch guard by way of Montville, N.Y. where she carved out her own piece of history by becoming the all-time scoring leader – men’s or women’s – at Montville Township High School. O’Reilly was also a three-time All-Conference and All-County pick, and two seasons ago was named the Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year, when her 24.2 points-per-game average landed her in third place on the state scoring list.

“KellyAnn is a talented scorer with deep three-point range,” Vulin said.

Unlike Smith, both Cajou and O’Reilly will be ready to come in and contribute right away for the Jaspers this season.

“Our incoming freshmen, Gabby Cajou and KellyAnn O’Reilly are both talented student athletes who will have a positive impact both on and off the court,” Vulin said. “Both are highly-motivated players that will fit into our up-tempo style perfectly. We’re excited for Jasper Nation to see them on the court this season.”

The Jaspers will return nine letterwinners from last season’s team that posted a 15-16 overall mark and an 11-9 record in the MAAC. Among those returning this season is MAAC Defensive Player of the Year Amani Tatum.