Recruiting: St. John’s misses on Jordan Riley

St. John’s fans had high hopes of landing local guard Jordan Riley, a local player with upside from Brentwood High School in Long Island.

Riley chose Georgetown instead for the 2021 season.

Late rumors and predictions from recruiting experts foretold the outcome. Riley was rumored to be a strong St. John’s lean, but late in this week, was predicted to pick the Hoyas.

St. John’s had Riley as a priority recruit for their system. Despite the inability to meet in person or follow AAU games in the summer sessions the Red Storm staff, with Van Macon taking a major role, pressed on against the likes of the Hoyas, UConn, Florida State and Kansas for the tough-nosed 6’4” wing, a player who chose to stay home instead of moving on to a prep school for more exposure.

Riley would have joined a St. John’s roster already laden with players from New York. This year, the staff will welcome Bronx guards Posh Alexander and Dylan Wusu, both players from Our Savior Lutheran School in the Bronx.

St. John’s will now face him in the Big East instead of suiting him up. Still, unlike other Red Storm administrations, the Johnnies have been active in recruiting other players on the high school and JUCO level.