Recruits praise St. John’s after Tip-Off

St. John’s staff got to use the Red Storm Tip-Off as a chance to highlight what they hoped would be growing excitement around the program.

And after the introductions, meeting the players and a performance by an up-and-coming rapper that some of the kids admire, the recruits had positive takeaways.

For one, Jordan Brown, the five-star forward from California, was on his official visit. Brown saw the performance, met rapper Dave East, and saw Madison Square Garden.

Solid news, though Brown has visits to UCLA and Oregon coming up.

Class of 2020 guard Noah Farrakhan, who has high major interest, spoke to Julius Kim of Elevate Hoops about his trip to St. John’s. From the Q & A:

Let’s start off with a basic question… how has your day been so far?

It’s been good and I like the experience. I got a chance to see my favorite rapper, Dave East. I met some of the players I haven’t met before. Shamorie (Ponds), I got to kick it up with him and I mean, overall, it’s a great day.

How’s the visit been?

Its’ been pretty good. The coaches are very caring about their kids and it seems like they really care for their core group. It’s a great experience and everything seems pretty well put together, well organized, and structured and that’s what I like.

What do you like about St. John’s?

They’re straight forward. They tell you, you come here you gotta work… just like any other school. You gotta work hard, earn your spot, and they have all the tools just like every other college has so they’ve been pretty much straight on forward… no gimmicks.

Farrakhan has more to say about the other schools recruiting him and his move to IMG Academy for high school as well.

Meanwhile, 2019 guard Dwight Davis Jr., who runs with Team Rio on the AAU circuit and goes to high school at Brooklyn’s Bishop Loughlin, thought the crowd was “different” and said the experience was “great”.

Forward Zed Key, a 2020 forward, seemed pretty into being at St. John's as well.

Overall: some good responses from the recruits, who enjoyed a taste of the city vibe that St. John’s can provide.

Will it lead to commitments?