The New York University men's basketball team has announced its Class of 2025 recruits. Three incoming freshmen will join the team, according to Head Coach Dagan Nelson.

The future Violets include Kawika Akina, Holt Bashinsky and Isaiah Freeney, 

Kawika Akina 5'10" Point Guard Pleasant Grove HS Cedar Hill, Utah
Before NYU:

• All-Utah Valley Team 2 years.
• Player of the Game with 16 points (4-6 threes) in my first game back exactly 57 days after breaking my hand in 5 places. 

Akina's Thoughts: "I choose NYU for three reasons: First, there is no better school in the world than Stern for my future career in finance. Secondly, the opportunity to play for a storied basketball program in the greatest city. Third, the opportunity to play for championships with Coach Nelson."

Nelson's Nuggets: "Kawika has all the qualities we want in a guard in our program. He has a program-first mentality, is incredibly self-motivated and ultra-competitive. He joins us after serving a two-year mission and has been accepted into the very prestigious MLK Scholars Program. He is a true student-athlete and we look forward to having him in our program!"

Holt Bashinsky 6'6" Wing/Forward Mountain Brook HS Birmingham, AL
Before NYU:

• 2019-20 AHSAA (Alabama High Sschool Athletic Association) Third Team All-State
• 2018-19 Mountain Brook Ranked #5 Nationally by Max Preps High School Basketball Rankings

Bashinsky's Thoughts: "I chose NYU because of my relationship with the coaching staff along with the combination of exceptional academics and athletics."

Nelson's Nuggets: "Simply put, Holt Bashinsky is a winner. We are excited to add his leadership, on-court versatility, and elite shooting to our program. Holt has been coached at the highest level of high school and prep school basketball and is a fearless competitor".

Zay Freeney 6'2" Combo Guard South Mountain HS Phoenix, AZ 
Before NYU:

• 5A All-Conference Offensive Player of the Year
• 5A Metro Region Offensive Player of the Year
• 5A Metro Region Player of the Year
• Phoenix Union All-Academic Player of the Year

Freeney's Thoughts: "I chose NYU because it is one of the best academic institutions in the country. I've built strong relationships with the coaching staff and am looking forward to representing NYU on the basketball court. Plus, there is no better city in the world than New York City!"

Nelson's Nuggets: "Zay is a dynamic, creative play-making guard who fits our up-tempo system really well. His work ethic, love of the game and program-first mentality are exciting additions to our program. Zay is a true student-athlete who has his best basketball ahead of him." 


Nelson has completed three years as the Violets' Head Coach. 

Only three seniors graduated from the 2020-21 squad: Oscar Argemi Gonzalez, Jaden Narwal (Vancouver, Canada/Collingwood School) and Seny Andreev (Moscow, Russia/IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL))