DUNK CITY, Fla. – One of the nation's strongest low-post offenses got even better this week as former Iowa State big man Brady Ernst signed a National Letter of Intent to join the FGCU men's basketball team. The 6-10 forward will have three years of eligibility with the Eagles, beginning immediately as a redshirt sophomore.
 
A native of Clinton, Iowa, Ernst played six games for Iowa State as a freshman in 2015-16 before receiving a medical hardship as he continued to recover from an ACL injury suffered near the end of his senior year at Clinton High School.
 
The 230-pound Ernst spent last season as a redshirt freshman at Indian Hills Community College – one of the top JUCO programs in the country. He averaged 9.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while getting physically stronger and displaying deft shooting touch by connecting at a 63.7-percent clip from the floor and 72.6 percent from the free throw line. Led by head coach Hank Plona, Indian Hills went 29-5 last year and advanced to the NJCAA National Basketball Championship.
 
"We're excited to have Brady in the program for the next three years," said FGCU head coach Joe Dooley. "He has a lot of potential and is a great addition. He and his dad, Joel, have stayed in contact throughout the recruiting process and they're excited to be a part of FGCU. Brady is a skilled, versatile forward. He's got a nice touch and can score either in the low blocks or by facing up his defender."
 
The all-time leading scorer and rebounder at Clinton High School with better than 1,100 points and nearly 900 rebounds, Ernst was the state's top-ranked player by Prep Hoops Iowa as a senior. That year, he averaged 16.7 points, 12.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game and garnered plenty of interest from Power-5 schools. Ernst received Second Team Class 4A All-State honors in 2015.
 
Ernst averaged a double-double for his entire four-year high school career at 13.4 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. He bettered his rebounding averages each year, from 8.2 as a freshman to 9.9 as a sophomore and 10.8 as a junior. He nearly did the same with his scoring numbers as well, beginning with 8.6 as a freshman before moving to 11 as a sophomore and then jumping to 17.2 during his junior year.
 
"I'm really excited to continue the legacy Dunk City has already made for itself," added Ernst. "FGCU was a good fit for me because I felt really comfortable with Coach Dooley and the rest of the coaching staff. I think the style of play also will be a good fit with how I like to play."
 
Ernst joins an FGCU frontcourt which last year led the nation in points in the paint at 41.3 per game. The Eagles also finished 3rd in the country in total dunks with 159, ranking behind only Florida State and Kentucky.
 
FGCU is coming off a record-setting 26-8 season in 2016-17, claiming a second-straight ASUN Tournament title and advancing to play its sixth NCAA Tournament game in the last five years. The Eagles return nearly 80 percent of their points, roughly 65 percent of their rebounds and more than 80 percent of their assists next year.
 
The Eagles have 6-10 Michigan transfer and Southwest Florida product Ricky Doyle (Cape Coral, Fla./Bishop Verot HS) joining the lineup next year as a redshirt junior, in addition to 6-10 Miami and VCU transfer Michael Gilmore (Jacksonville, Fla./Rickards HS). Additionally, high school senior Brian Thomas (Marietta, Ga./Kell HS), a 6-9 forward, has also signed his National Letter of Intent to join the Green and Blue.
 
Season-ticket reservations for the highly-anticipated 2017-18 campaign are already being accepted by contacting a representative from the Alico Arena Ticket Office by calling 239-590-7145 or visiting during normal business hours. Priority will be given to current season-ticket holders and Eagles Club members based on giving levels. Those who are not Eagles Club members may contact Matt Ring at 239-590-7107 or mring@fgcu.edu for more information.
 
Those wishing to secure season tickets for the first time may get on the 2017-18 season ticket priority list now by making a non-refundable $100 deposit per seat. The priority list will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Please inform a ticket office representative to be placed on the priority list. Season-ticket renewals for men's and women's basketball will begin on May 1, and there is no deposit needed for current season-ticket holders.
 
SOCIAL CENTRAL
For up-to-the-minute information and behind-the-scenes access to the men's basketball program, follow @FGCU_MBB on Twitter and Instagram, Like us on Facebook at /FGCUMBB and watch us on Snapchat at FGCU_MBB.
 
COACH DOOLEY 
FGCU is led by head coach Joe Dooley, who completed his 4th season with the Eagles in 2016-17 and has coached eight all-conference selections in that time. He has led FGCU to 20+ win seasons and postseason appearances in all four years: 2013 NIT; 2014 CIT; 2015 NCAA; 2016 NCAA. Dooley was named the 2017 ASUN Coach of the Year and the 2017 NABC District 3 Coach of the Year after leading the Eagles to a D-I program record 26 wins. In eight seasons overall as a head coach, Dooley has a record of 148-98 (.602), and in his four years with FGCU is 91-46 (.664). Prior to arriving in SWFL, Dooley spent 10 seasons as an assistant at Kansas under head coach Bill Self. During those 10 seasons, Kansas produced 300 wins, nine-straight Big 12 regular-season titles, six Big 12 Tournament championships, six NCAA Sweet 16s, five NCAA Elite Eight appearances and two Final Fours, including the 2008 National Championship.
 
SUPPORT THE CAUSE 
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.