By Brandon Mauk
When Rashond Salnave made his decision on where he’ll play college ball, he chose the place that felt like home to him.
The Benjamin Cardozo guard verbally committed to Monmouth University, he announced last week.
“I’m just happy,” Salnave said. “I’m really excited. I’m really at a loss for words right now, but I just can’t wait until next season.”
Salnave came to his choice after looking back at prior visits to Monmouth over the course of the past year. When interacting with head coach King Rice and the rest of the team, he felt comfortable, as if he was already part of the team. Former Cardozo star Duane Woodward, an assistant coach at Monmouth, was instrumental in recruiting Salnave.
“We had dinner, and I felt like family there,” Salnave said. “The players all had conversations with me, I felt comfortable around them.”
He chose Monmouth over Seton Hall, Rutgers and Iona.
Salnave will bring his all-around game to West Long Branch, N.J., next year. The Hawks, who play in the MAAC, will need his ability to score at will and his court vision to get rebounds and create plays. Salnave posted 15 points, 6.5 rebounds and nearly four assists per game last season.
“Coach Rice said that they’re losing their top scorer and he’s looking for me to come in right away and start putting points on the board. I feel like I can do that for him,” Salnave said.
With that decision out of the way, Salnave is looking forward to having a big senior season, trying to become the first Cardozo player to win two PSAL city titles. He led the Judges to the Class AA crown as a sophomore and led them back to the final a year ago.
The 6-foot-2 Salnave realized, after what was a down year and summer by his standards, that he needs to improve his condition. He did so with extreme focus and efficiency, and it’s paid off.
“He realized that, as hard as he thought he was working, he’s really got to do it diligently,” Cardozo coach Ron Naclerio said.
This year, even with bigger things in the future, Salnave remains focused on the now, and wants to repeat the success of his sophomore season. He’s back in shape after a long summer of hard work.
“I see us getting there and I see us winning it. I’m not taking another loss,” he said. “I’ve been working in. I feel myself getting back to the way I was sophomore year. I feel like I’m getting back to that high level.”
