Justin Gist joins York College as assistant men's basketball coach ahead of the 2022-23 season.
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“I appreciate the opportunity and privilege to join the York men’s basketball staff as assistant coach. I am excited for the opportunity to work alongside my brother, Jamel, to contribute to the building of a winning program, because when we coach, we also learn. I have high expectations for what this team can accomplish. I am honored to bring my coaching skill set and passion for the game to York. I believe in this team and know that by working together we will have a great season winning and growing together. Being a Cardinal is encouraging a culture of good sportsmanship, cooperation and responsibility to the student-athletes. Let’s Go Cardinals!” - said Justin Gist
Gist arrives at York after serving four seasons as assistant men’s basketball coach at his alma mater St. Joseph’s University (Brooklyn) from 2017-22. Under the tutelage of long-time St. Joseph’s head coach Joseph Cocozello, Gist contributed to the growth of a 1,000-point scorer in Dimitri Sirakis. In his final season with the Bears, Gist helped develop the program’s first All-Skyline Conference selection (Chris Mikos) since 2015-16. Off the court, St. Joseph’s produced 19 Skyline Conference Academic Honor Roll selections and a pair of Skyline Sportsmanship Team honorees in four seasons.
“Leadership, expertise, mentorship and years of experience are just a few assets we have acquired by adding Justin Gist to the York men’s basketball coaching staff,” said interim head coach Jamel Gist.
From 2015-16, Gist served as associate coach for the Adams Street Academy High School boys basketball team, winning the school’s first-ever division championship. Gist got his coaching start in 2012, when he was the assistant men’s basketball coach for two seasons at NYU Polytechnic.
Prior to transitioning to the sidelines, Gist played four seasons (2007-10, 11-12) at St. Joseph’s to finish his career with 1,170 points. Gist became the first player in St. Joseph’s history to be named a three-time Hudson Valley Men’s Athletic Conference (HVMAC) All-Conference selection. During the 2009-10 season, Gist garnered United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Honorable Mention All-American status and was named the Tournament MVP honors after leading St. Joseph’s to their second HVMAC title. He was also twice awarded Association of Division III Independents (AD3I) second team all-independent distinctions. Gist also helped lead St. Joseph’s to the HVMAC championship game in 2008-09.
Hailing from Newsome, Florida, Gist played his high school ball at Newsome. Off the court, Gist has worked at Interfaith Medical Center since 2014.
Gist currently resides in the South Ozone Park section of Queens, and is a proud father to daughter, Tatiana, and son, Justin Jr.
