Toussaint is thriving in other areas following the transfer to West Virginia

Joe Toussaint spent three years in Iowa but wanted a different role.

The New York point guard was trusted primarily for his defense and passing skills during his time with the Hawkeyes, and the numbers reflect that.

Toussaint averaged just 3.7 and 4.3 points per game in each of his last two seasons with Iowa, but wanted the opportunity for more. A change of scenery was therefore necessary.

In the last two seasons, Toussaint has reached double digits just four times in total. It wasn’t that scoring goals was his top priority, but it was the desire to have more opportunities.

After entering the transfer portal, Toussaint was looking for a place to expand his game and create scoring chances.

“I also knew that I could hit the ball. My gym is my happy place — morning, night, any time, I’m always in the gym,” he said. “I knew I could shoot the ball and put the ball in the basket.”

West Virginia was looking for experienced guardsmen who could do exactly what Toussaint could provide. While his role in that department in Iowa was limited, the Mountaineers knew Toussaint was a big scorer in high school and could provide a backyard spark on offense.

Given what he also brought to the table as a facilitator and defensively, accepting his engagement after entering the portal and touring the campus was an easy decision. Despite a long list of other interested schools, Toussaint felt ideal for what the climbers wanted.

The senior guard felt his style of play perfectly suited what Huggins wants from his guards at both ends of the floor.

Yes, he’s a polished defender at the Power Five level, but the ability to play ball screens, down screens, and offensive movement was also very appealing.

He also liked the idea of ​​being able to play more freely on offense.

The decision paid off as Toussaint is averaging a career-best 9.8 points per competition while shooting a career-best from beyond the three-point line. He’s still maintained his consistency when it comes to passing basketball and is a weapon on defense.

For example, Toussaint has 14 double-digit hits this season, including a career-high 22 points and one of the best games of his career against Iowa State as he has become a key figure in the Mountaineers offense.

That’s the biggest difference he’s learned throughout his career: Even if the ball doesn’t go in the basket, there are ways to influence the game.

“I preach that to them every day. The offensive will go as it pleases; People have bad games or bad shooting games. But I tell people that you can control your efforts and you can control the defense and play hard,” Toussaint said.

The veteran guard has established himself in his role not just as a goalscorer off the bench, but as a leader through his experience.

It’s a decision that has paid off for Toussaint, as he has transformed his role in the way he envisioned when he decided to find a new college landing spot.