St. John's basketball teams raise over $100,000 through Dribble For The Cure

The Dribble For Cure fundraiser is an annual event at St. John's but this year the men's and women's basketball teams raised a record-breaking $100,000 for the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation.

"This is a wonderful event that brings everyone together for children's cancer research," new head coach Chris Mullin said. "Cancer affects everybody at some point. To bring people together for a common cause and to do it here with Coach Carnesecca and Mr. Kaiser is very special."

The event gives the players on both teams the opportunity to spend time with cancer survivors while signing autographs and dribbling around the St. John's Queens campus.

"Dribbling with the kids is always fun," senior Felix Balamou said. "I enjoy signing the autographs and getting to know people and giving back to the community is what it's always about."

"It puts a face to a disease that is awful and it also lets you know that people need our help," Mullin said. "Sometimes it's just showing up and giving a smile or a hug."

The Dribble For Cure is also a perfect chance for team bonding as plenty of the players were receiving enjoyment out of the multiple festival activities.

Mitch Richmond, Larry Johnson, Bashir Ahmed in attendance

Chris Mullin has been trying to add Hall of Famer and former Golden State Warrior, Mitch Richmond, to his coaching staff and Saturday's event could be a step in the right direction. When the head coach addressed the crowd, Mullin specifically mentioned Richmond, who was standing near the rest of the coaching staff and supported a red St. John's polo t-shirt.

Former New York Knick and first overall draft selection in 1991, Larry Johnson, was also in the crowd supporting his former NBA competitor.

Meanwhile, the Red Storm were also tending to their 2016 recruiting class as Bashir Ahmed, a Bronx native and highly talented JUCO player, was indeed spotted taking his official visit. Ahmed has already taken a trip to Cincinnati and plans to visit Rick Pitino and the Louisville Cardinals sometime in the coming weeks.

Ron Mvouika is ready for his final season

Ron Mvouika spent multiple seasons at Missouri State, where he averaged 6.8 points per game during the 2013-14 season and 5.5 points last year, but the chance to play in the Big East and in front of a rowdy fan base has the graduate transfer excited for the upcoming season.

"You can feel the positive vibes around campus which is a great thing," Mvouika said on Saturday. "Hopefully we can get something special going here. My goal is to win. I don't have any personal goals except giving it my best every night and winning as many games as we can."

Mvouika's versatility and toughness could be especially valuable for a team that is expected to be deep but will lack the experience they have had in year's past.