RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Ashton Pankey (Bronx, N.Y./St. Anthony's) has chosen to continue his collegiate career at Manhattan College to play for Jaspers' head coach Steve Masiello after the 6'10" 230-pound forward from the Bronx decided to transfer from the University of Maryland to be closer to his family. Pankey started 17 games for the Terps last season averaging 4.7 points and 4.9 rebounds over 20.3 minutes per contest appearing in all 32 games. Pankey will have three years of eligibility when he begins his career in Riverdale.

"We are very excited to have Ashton join our basketball family," said Masiello. "He is a high character young man who brings high major experience from a terrific program. He is a player who can play multiple positions and who can change the game on the offensive and defensive end."

Pankey joins a club that is coming off a 21-win campaign in Masiello's first year at the helm. Manhattan increased its win total against NCAA Division I opponents by 15-games last season, which was tops in nation. Manhattan returns 88.5% of its scoring offense from 2011-2012 and looks to contend for the 2013 MAAC title.

Pankey played his high school ball for Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame head coach Bob Hurley at St. Anthony's in Jersey City. Coming out of St. Anthony's he was rated as the No. 36 power forward in the nation by Scout.com, and he was tabbed a 3-star prospect by Rivals and Scout.com. Pankey arrived at Maryland for the 2010-2011 season, but received a medical redshirt waiver to preserve his first season of eligibility.

Pankey rounds out a recruiting class that includes 6'4" shooting guard Paul Bayt (Carmel, Indiana/Park Tudor), 6'2" point guard CJ Jones (Chicago, Illinois/Orr High School/St. Thomas More Preparatory), 6'10" center Adam Lacey (Chula Vista, Calif./San Diego High School) and 6'6" forward Shane Richards (Staten Island, N.Y./York Prep).