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The St. John's basketball season is off to a good start. The young Johnnies are showing great improvements from last season and look to be in good shape for conference play. While they continue to improve and get to the promised land, the NCAA Tournament, former Johnnies are trying to get settled in the early parts of their professional season.
Here's the update:
Guards:
Dwight Hardy (Granarolo Bologna) – After a shaky second year as a pro in Italy, Dwight Hardy has found himself again leading his fourth Italian team in 3 years. Hardy is averaging 17 points on 51% shooting from the field, and 51% shooting from behind the arc. His team currently sits in 8th place in Serie A, two games back of the leader, Banco.
Paris Horne (Buyukcekmece Basketbol) – After spending a year in Greece playing for AGOR, Horne made his way over to Turkey where he is the starting point guard for the club. Horne leads the team in scoring at 15 points per contest and is first in assist with three. His club sits in 13th place in the second league of Turkish basketball.
Forwards:
Maurice Harkless (Orlando Magic) - After a strong rookie season last year where Harkless averaged eight points, and four rebounds, Harkless is entering his sophomore year continuing to find his stride in the NBA. So far this season, Harkless is averaging seven points and three rounds for the Magic. His best game to date this season was against the New Orleans Pelicans where Harkless dropped 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds to go along with four steals as well.
D.J. Kennedy (Hopoel Holon) – Kennedy spent his first two years as a pro in the D-League making a few appearances for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kennedy headed over to France after being cut by the Dallas Mavericks this past summer. In his four appearances for the club, Kennedy averaged 10 points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal.
This past week however, Kennedy left the French side and headed to Russia after signing with Krasny Oktyabr before leaving, after not playing a single game, and signing with Israeli side, Hopoel Holon, who he has yet to play a game for yet.
Justin Burrell (Cholet) – Burrell spent his first season in France last year in Pro B with Chalons-Reims before signing this past summer with Pro A club Cholet. In 13 games, Burrell is averaging six points on 63% shooting to go along with three rebounds in just 17 minutes of player per game. Cholet sits 12th in the league.
Sean Evans (Anyang KGC) – Evans his making his second stint in Europe after spending time in Germany with Goettingen and Düsseldorf, before returning to the U.S. last year to play for D-League team, The Idaho Stampede. Evans now is in South Korea playing for Anyang leading the team in scoring, 12 points, and rebounds, 12 rebounds, per game. However, his club sits in last place in the KBL Standings.
Justin Brownlee (Erie Bay Hawks) – Brownlee is one of two remaining St. John’s players in the D-League. Currently playing the Knicks D-League affiliate, Brownlee is averaging seven points and four rebounds for the 2-11 Bay Hawks.
Anthony Mason Jr. (Sioux Falls) – Mason is one of the more well-traveled Johnnies out there. In his four years as a pro, Mason has played in multiple counties. Bahrain, France, Japan, Italy, and Venezuela before returning back to the NBA D-League with the Sioux Falls. In six games, Mason is averaging five points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist. Sioux Falls sits in 2nd place in the Central Division, currently.
Be sure to check in bi-weekly for game and stat updates from the former Red Storm men’s basketball team.
