Another Yanders Law alumni to enter the NCAA transfer portal, Anton Brookshire, has made his selection.
Originally from Milwaukee, Anton Brookshire made quite the splash as a high schooler in Missouri at Kickapoo. His play earned him the opportunity to play for Mizzou in his first NCAA season. From there, as so many others have done, he entered the transfer portal.
The Basketball Movement caught up with Brookshire and asked about his experience in the portal.
“Honestly, it was pretty smooth,” Brookshire says. “It was a process of patience. Sometimes you are hearing from a different coach every day, but other times you would have several days of quiet. I had guys like Rob (Yanders, Brookshire’s uncle) in my corner, so I never lost hope. It is a tough process but a good process.”
Brookshire announced on social media that he made the decision to play for legendary Head Coach Rick Pitino at Iona. The decision takes Anton out of the Midwest part of the country for the first time in his hoops career as he heads to New York.
“After talking with family, Uncle Rob, going on visits… the coaching staff (at Iona) treated me in a way that felt like home,” Brookshire says. “I went to dinner with some of the players and learned a lot. Having a Hall of Fame coach like Coach Rick makes me know I can reach my goals and that it’ll be a good fit for me.”
Overall, Anton is ready to embrace the move across the country, as he can stay connected with those he is leaving behind through technology. “I’m excited about it,” Brookshire says. “Getting here, getting to work, and being around these guys is exciting. I’m ready to try out getting away from home - it is actually pretty easy to stay in contact with family through Facetime and stuff.”
Brookshire has already been in New York for about a month. Practice has not started, but he can complete individual workouts and start applying his knowledge earned at The Basketball Movement and the experience he gained at Mizzou.
“I was blessed by the opportunity to be under the coaches’ wings at Mizzou and learn for a year,” Brookshire says. “I learned how to deal with each day and be consistent. I learned to never take a day for granted, and I am thankful for my time at Mizzou.”
That consistency applies to Anton’s work ethic, which he notes his new coaches and teammates can always expect from him.”I’ll bring energy and be a guy that’s the same whether I’m playing or not playing,” Brookshire says. “I will be a great leader and hopefully bring some wins. They had a great season and were close to the tournament last year. We all want to make it, so that is goal number one.”
Anton says that classes are going well too. He was a Sports Management major his freshman year, but with that program not offered at Iona, he is currently undecided.
One of the premier student-athletes to come out of our area in a while and an all-time-great Yanders Law alum, we will be rooting for Brookshire as he continues his journey. Good luck this upcoming season, Anton!