Kent State point guard Cian Medley plans to bring leadership and a winning pedigree combined with great work ethic to the position this year for the Flashes and Rob Senderoff.
The 6-0, 155 pound native of Sicklerville, New Jersey transferred in from St. Louis back on April 17 and will have three years of eligibility for Kent State.
Medley started 19 games of the 33 he and SLU competed in this past year. He averaged 4.3 points per game, 3.9 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game. Medley shot it a respectable 35.7% from the three-point line but struggled overall from the field at 34.4%.
“Medley is someone we recruited out of high school, and we are very pleased to have him attend Kent State upon transferring from Saint Louis,” Senderoff said. “Cian had a very successful freshman year where he continued to improve throughout the season. He has a great work ethic and has been a winner and a leader everywhere he has played.”
“I chose Kent State because it just felt like the best fit for me from a play style and winning stand point,” Medley told Golden Flash Report. “I also created a great bond with the staff and team in such a short amount of time it just checked off every box for me.”
A pure, pass first point guard, Medley is quick and aggressive in getting to the basket and making plays for others. He is dynamic in transition with elite vision, also the ability to make the simple advance pass look easy.
Medley plays with a bounce in his game and will look to make others around him better. KSU’s bigs should benefit from him as he can get them clean looks around the rim.
Known as a streaky jump shooter, if Medley can work on that part of his game, KSU will be looking at another elite lead guard to navigate Rob Senderoff’s team.
Jack Godar is the St. Louis beat reporter for A10 Talk and described him as a “really promising point guard, pass first but he can hit open shots. He’s still learning how to finish over bigger players, a tough kid from Camden, New Jersey.”
Medley played at historic Camden High School in New Jersey, the same high school that produced NBA player DaJuan Wagner. Medley played and graduated alongside three other Division I college players, including Wagner’s son D.J. (Kentucky commit and in transfer portal). Medley also played with Aaron Bradshaw (Kentucky commit and announced transfer to Ohio State) and Cornelius Robinson (Albany). At most other schools, Medley would have been the number one option. He is used to getting everyone involved and cares about winning, the number one attribute KSU looks for in recruiting.
“Being in the high school situation I was in was one of the greatest things that could’ve happened to me,” Medley said. “I learned to play with good players early in my career and it’s something that is needed at this level so honestly I feel like I can play with anyone and lead any team.”
Senderoff and staff were very familiar with Medley coming out of high school. Medley chose St. Louis over Florida Gulf Coast, Illinois-Chicago and Robert Morris according to reports.
“The fact they recruited me out of high school was big because not a lot of schools did that,” Medley said. “I’ve heard from a lot of schools in the portal but Coach Rob was one of the first coaches that called me and I’m happy it came full circle.”
As Team 109 begins to take shape, themes of being connected defensively, mental and physical toughness, and having guys who put winning first are coming to the forefront. Medley hopes to bring his skill set to the MAC Center this winter and help lead the Golden Flashes to a championship.
“I’ll bring whatever is asked or needed for us to keep the winning tradition going. I feel like Kent State has a standard and I love that I’m able to be a part of something so special.”
“It’s going to start on the defensive end for us to get where we want to go and as a point guard it’s going to start with me, so I have to set the tone defensively and my guys follow.”