Quick and dirty, the St. John's updates:
+ This Saurday, St. John's is holding the Dribble for the Cure event as part of St. John's University Service Day. Dribble for the Cure is a fundraising and awareness-raising event focused on pediatric cancers. More on the event, and how to register and PLEDGE, at the Dribble for the Cure site. (I'm a big fan of service to the community. You should be too. It's something to be proud of, so get on it!)
On the missing members of the recruiting class, and an Anthony Mason Jr. pro update, below.
+ Jakarr Sampson decommited from St. John's last night. Via Mitch McGary's Twitter. This likely paves the way for him to play the full year at Brewster and see what his options are in the spring signing period. Sampson can still recommit to St. John's. He would be a nice player to have back, but these recent actions make it seem less likely to see him in the red and white.
+ Amir Garrett, on the other hand, continues to clearly state that he is committed to St. John's. Sampson's decommitment might hurt the team, but it helps Garrett. He was versatile at Findlay Prep, willing to play in the post despite being a wing. He also will have one less competitior for playing time, and with the dearth of tall players on the Red Storm, he's guaranteed to see major minutes.
Garrett will be at Bridgton Academy with signee Darrick Wood for at least the semester.
If you're feeling anxious about what this means for the basketball team read our take on the ramifications of the ineligible players and then realize St. John's is still on the upswing. That's not just spin.
+ St. John's basketball alum Anthony Mason Jr. will play for the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA's developmental league. He played there last season, averaging 15 points and 8.2 rebounds in 14 starts before being lost for the season with a shoulder injury.
I didn't know the developmental league would still run with the NBA locking out its players, but according to the South Dakota TV station, training camp begins in November.
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