FAIRBANKS - Head coach Frank Ostanik and the Nanooks men's basketball program have announced the signing of Isaiah Saams-Hoy. Saams-Hoy, a 6-4 guard out of San Jose, Calif., arrives in Fairbanks after playing at San Jose City College of the California Community College Athletic Association Coast-South Division.
"Isaiah is a young man we are very excited about," said Ostanik on the signing. "I think I have talked to Isaiah more over the past three weeks than my wife. I knew Isaiah was a very talented player, but through the process of recruiting him, I was blown away by how thoughtful and intelligent he is. He can play three positions and guard four. He can shoot it at a high level, he makes everyone on the court better and he allows us to be very versatile both offensively and defensively. Isaiah goes about his business in a very professional manner. He is an exceptionally hard worker; he is tough, thoughtful and the type of young man who will be very involved in our community. Fairbanks will love him."
Saams-Hoy played his high school ball at Eastside College Prep in East Palo Alto, Calif., where he was a CCS champion and WBAL MVP. In his senior year, he averaged 24 points and 10.2 rebounds per game while finishing as a NorCal State Championship Semifinalist. During the 2023-24 season with SJCC, Saams-Hoy played in and started 30 games, averaging 12.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 26 minutes per game. The guard shot 50.2% from the field and 30.6% from beyond the arc in his one season with the Jaguars. He also chipped in on the defensive side, posting 56 steals and 24 blocks. His efforts on defense earned Saams-Hoy a spot on the CCCAA All-Defensive First Team, while his overall play netted him All-Conference honors.
"I'm thankful to start a new chapter, and I'm ready to work!" said Saams-Hoy about joining the Nanooks.
Before his time with the Jaguars, Saams-Hoy made stops at Cal State East Bay and Chabot College.
"With the guys we have returning, along with the players we have signed, I think we have become a team that can compete in the GNAC," said head coach Ostanik on the new squad. "I know we have added a lot of length, athleticism and toughness. We should be able to guard at a high level and score from a wide variety of spots on the court. I am very excited about the team we are assembling and our potential. It's been a long six weeks working to put together a competitive roster, but given those challenges, I am very happy with what we have accomplished. We aren't quite done, but we are really close."
Updates on the Nanooks roster will continue as we near the 2024-25 season.
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