York College interim director of athletics Zak Ivkovic announced Friday that Jamel Gist has officially been appointed as head men’s basketball coach after serving as interim head coach since July 2022.
“It is an amazing feeling to know I will be able to lead an exceptional group of young men! I can’t wait to see what is in store for the program! Go Cardinals!”-said Gist
Under Gist, the Cardinals returned to the CUNYAC Championship Tournament for the second-consecutive season. In 2022-23, Gist produced a pair of CUNYAC All-Stars in juniors Terrell Fullerton and Olawale Kila, along with senior Devine Chisholm being named the program’s first CUNYAC Sportsmanship Award honoree since 2017-18.
“We are very pleased to remove the Interim tag for Jamel with full confidence in his vision for the York basketball program. His personal growth, hard work and positive approach as a coach reflects what we want to see from all of our coaches in serving our student-athletes.”- noted Ivkovic
York presented the CUNYAC’s fourth-best offense at 75 points per game. The Cardinals also ranked among the league leaders in assist/turnover ratio (2nd, 0.99), field goal percentage (3rd, 42%), 3-point field goal percentage (4th, 30.7%) and opponent field goal percentage (4th, 42.2%).
In 2019-20, Gist was elevated to the role as the program’s associate head coach. He started at York in the 2016-17 season as an assistant coach.
Since arriving at York, Gist has contributed to the development of seven CUNYAC All-Stars, two CUNYAC Sportsmanship Award winners, three CUNYAC Sportsmanship Team selections, and a 2018-19 CUNYAC Rookie of the Year selection in senior Devine Chisholm. In 2021-22, York returned to CUNYAC Championship play for the first time since the 2015-16 season and advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2014-15.
Before York, Gist attended Brooklyn College, graduating with bachelor’s degrees in business management and finance. Gist started in all 102 games played during his collegiate career to total 1,458 points. He averaged 14.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game. In three seasons (2013-16) as a member of the Bulldogs’ men’s basketball team, Gist played in back-to-back CUNYAC Championship games. Leading the program as a team captain, Gist was named a 2015-16 CUNYAC All-Star during his senior season to guide Brooklyn to a CUNYAC Championship title.
As a freshman, Gist was recruited to play at Polytechnic Institute of New York University under coach Adams. He averaged a team-best 17.8 points per game, to go along with 5.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.9 steals to be named the 2012-2013 Skyline Conference Men’s Basketball Rookie of the Year.
Gist attended Joe E. Newsome High School in Lithia, Florida, where he helped the Wolves to a 2010 district championship before closing out the season in the regional finals. In 2010-11, Gist collected second-team All-Hillsborough County, first-team All-Conference, and earned a spot on the Hillsborough County All-Star Team.
Off the court, Gist has worked for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation since 2016 and currently serves as a recreation supervisor.
