New Iona coach Kevin Willard corralled his first verbal commitment yesterday, snagging Hackensack (N.J.) senior Keon Williams.

Williams is a 6-foot-6, 230-pound power forward who averaged 25.3 and 14.5 rebounds last season for the Comets. He chose the Gaels over Niagara, Siena, Rider and St. Bonaventure. Willard, a former Louisville assistant who inherits a program that went 2-28 last season, will make his debut Nov. 10 at Robert Morris.

*

Seton Hall announced yesterday that recruit Chris Smith, of Millstone, N.J., will not play for the Pirates this semester. Smith’s enrollment is pending a decision by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

The Pirates open the season Nov. 11 vs. Monmouth, in the first college game played at Newark’s Prudential Center. tsullivan@nypost.com