YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | Young Harris College head men's basketball coach Jeremy Currier is pleased to announce the addition of Ernesto Almonte to the 2024 signing class. The 6-4 guard joins the Mountain Lions after playing his high school career at Trinity Christian School in Sharpsburg, Georgia.

"Ernesto's is an extremely talented young man that is a perfect match for our style of play and culture," said Coach Currier. "Ernesto is a strong, athletic, and intelligent player that has a chance to be an incredible defender in our system. We love rebounding wings and Ernesto was one of the top rebounding wings in all of Georgia, as he averaged 11 rebounds per game and amassed over 500 in the last three seasons. Ernesto has the mentality and work ethic to become a great player at Young Harris College."

This past season Almonte averaged 16 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assist and 1.2 blocks per game at Trinity Christian, where he was named as a three time All Region player and identified as one of the top forwards in the GHSA by Sandy Spiel. Ernesto has been a member of the Dominican Republic National Team for both the U16 and U17 levels, where they have finished 4^th and 12^th place in FIBA competition.

Trinity Christian High School basketball coach Will De La Cruz shared some thoughts on Almonte and the impact he had as the leader of the TCS Lions basketball program.

"Ernesto has been an outstanding representation of what we want our players to be on and off the court. He has been a pivotal part of our program and a leader for the last 4 years! In his high school career, he has led our teams in points, rebounds and blocked shots. He was a 3-year varsity starter and in those three years he reached 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 300 assists, and sits as the only player in Trinity Basketball History who has accomplished such numbers"

Almonte joins a talented Mountain Lion team that finished 17-12 overall and second in the Conference Carolinas Southwest Division last season.

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