Mikey Dixon to transfer from St. John’s

Mikey Dixon, per Evan Daniels, will transfer from St. John’s after 14 games.

Dixon has been given his release by the program.

“We respect Mikey’s decision and wish him nothing but the best,” said head coach Chris Mullin. “He’s a good basketball player and a good person with a bright future ahead.”

The 6’2” guard from Delaware was the MAAC rookie of the year, but transferred from Quinnipiac in search of a bigger challenge. When he came to St. John’s, playing time looked clear for him, though he had to sit out a full season per NCAA transfer rules. He added muscle, and told Tom Ballato for the Rumble how much time he had spent preparing by studying film and working with Greg St. Jean.

But this offseason, after Dixon’s sit-out year, the Johnnies brought in LJ Figueroa and Mustapha Heron, both of whom took guard spots from Dixon.

Dixon shot 43% from outside the arc and 49% inside the arc for St. John’s, snagging a few steals and being a low-turnover player, but often did not find a scoring rhythm. His usage decreased in the Red Storm’s wide-open style, and next to high-usage guards.

In the past two games in Big East play, Dixon played a total of seven minutes behind Bryan Trimble Jr., as the Johnnies rode their starters deep into games.

Dixon will sit out another year, possibly being eligible at mid-season next year as a junior.

All of this, despite the likelihood that Shamorie Ponds and Mustapha Heron will seriously consider moving on to the professional ranks after this season.

Still, even looking to the future, Dixon played a different style with the more structured Quinnipiac team, where Dixon had the ball in his hands and could judiciously make decisions on when to attack. With the Red Storm, he did not get to spend time probing, though he may have had a chance to next season.

On next year’s roster, however, there will be incoming JUCO guard Cameron Mack, who looks to spend a lot of time with the ball in his hands, with competition from Eli Wright, who should be solid, along with this year’s guards Greg Williams Jr. and Bryan Trimble Jr.

Still, Dixon’s departure is a loss, a solid scorer who can reliably stretch defenses.

Greg Williams Jr. will certainly get to see more time.

Wendell Cruz

Wendell Cruz

Wendell Cruz