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With the resignation of Coach Mullin this week, the future of St. John’s basketball — and the roster — looks murky at the moment.
Often times when a coach leaves the program, what ensues is roster shakeup.
When head coach Steve Lavin parted ways with the Red Storm, many players on his 2014-15 team left St. John’s along with him. That rotation, of course, was almost all seniors, though some, like Rysheed Jordan had also planned to go pro, missing enough classes in spring to render him ineligible for the next fall.
Coach Mullin had to add nine players before the start of the 2015-16 campaign. Some players in that 2015 class included Marcus LoVett, Kassoum Yakwe, Malik Ellison, along with transfers like Tariq Owens.
The next wave of roster revamp has already commenced. Whoever ends up being the next head coach is going to have this offseason to assemble a new-look Johnnies team.
Roster
Who’s Gone:
- Shamorie Ponds declared for the upcoming NBA Draft. Since he signed an agent, he will not be returning to school. Read the full article here.
- Justin Simon also declared for the NBA Draft and will not return to school.
- Bryan Trimble Jr. has chosen to transfer.
- Marvin Clark II will graduate from St. John’s this academic year.
Who’s Back:
- Marcellus Earlington is expected to return to the team next season. He appeared in 15 games this past year, and averaged just around 2 points and 2 rebounds per contest.
- Eli Wright is also expected to remain in Queens. After spending two seasons at Mississippi State, Wright transferred to St. John’s, but had to sit this previous season out. As a guard, he only averaged about 3 points per game while at Mississippi State. Sitting out another season would simply lose a year of eligibility.
- David Caraher, very similar to Wright is coming off a redshirt season with St. John’s. Caraher joins the Red Storm after spending one season with the Houston Baptist Huskies. His only season in Houston was highly successful, as he averaged around 16 points, 7 rebounds, while shooting 46% from the field. Sitting out another season would simply lose a year of eligibility.
- Ian Steere appears committed to the Johnnies at the moment. After playing one game at North Carolina State, this 6-foot-9 forward decided to transfer. He is a solid piece for the Red Storm frontcourt. Sitting out another season would simply lose a year of eligibility.
Undecided:
- According to J.P. Pelzman of Forbes, big men Sedee Keita and Josh Roberts have “one foot out the door” and may be transferring out of the program.
Can confirm. Hearing Sedee Keita and Josh Roberts also have one foot out the door https://t.co/c1BUcjuf2N
— J.P. Pelzman (@JPPelzman) April 9, 2019
- According to Zach Braziller of the NY Post, Mustapha Heron, Greg Williams and LJ Figueroa will wait to see who the next coach is before deciding whether to transfer or not. [Update: Figueroa will enter his name for a transfer.]
Multiple sources tell me Mustapha Heron will wait as St. John's looks for its new coach. No decision yet. #sjubb
— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) April 10, 2019
Told Greg Williams and LJ Figueroa will wait out process to see who St Johns hires. #sjubb
— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) April 9, 2019
Class of 2019
- Cameron Mack, a junior college standout at Salt Lake Community College has requested his release from the school.
- Valdir Manuel, a three-star big man from New Jersey, has decided to reopen his recruitment.
Valdir Manuel has decommitted from St. John's, he tells me. @AdamZagoria first. #sjubb Maryland and Kansas State involved.
— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) April 10, 2019
Class of 2020
- Four-star wing player Nate Tabor has also decided to reopen his recruitment. He was mainly recruited by former St. John’s assistant Matt Abdelmassih. Hailing from Connecticut, watch out for the UConn Huskies to take a look at Tabor once again.
Recap
Listed below are all the players we can reasonably expect to suit up for the Red Storm next year. The new head coach will have his hands full building a roster capable of competing in the Big East and across the country.
- Marcellus Earlington
- Eli Wright
- David Caraher
- Ian Steere