Pomfret Forward A10 Bound

New England Recruiting Report | Tuesday, November 10th, 2015

Gerald Blount 2016

Pomfret School forward Gerald Blount made a verbal commitment to St. Joseph's on Monday night before the news first became public on Tuesday morning.

The 6-foot-7 forward earned All Class B honorable mention recognition last year in his first season in the New England prep ranks and spent the spring and summer playing with the same New York Jayhawks along with other New England prep products like Mamadou Diarra (UConn) and Ray Jerome (Penn).

Blount first caught St. Joseph's attention this summer during the final week of the evaluation period when the Jayhawks were playing in Las Vegas. The Hawks continued to evaluate him this fall as both head coach Phil Martelli and his assistants traveled to Connecticut before finally offering in September. He had other offers from Winthrop and UMBC as well.

A two-sport star who has doubled his hardwood production on the grid iron during his high school career, Blount spent time at two of New Jersey's most established programs - St. Anthony and St. Benedict's - before ultimately deciding to focus on basketball.

He projects as a power forward at the next level where his strong body, athleticism and high motor should all be assets. He'll probably be a role player on the offensive end of the floor in the Atlantic 10, but has a lot of value defensively with his ability to guard multiple positions.

Blount becomes the second local prep product to commit to St. Joseph's, joining St. Thomas More swingman Charles Brown.

Both are expected to sign during the early signing period that begins Wednesday.