Two St. John’s players named to all-Big East teams

The regular season is done for the Big East and for St. John’s, and two standout performers have received accolades from the league coaches.

Joel Soriano was named to the all-Big East second team, after compiling a season with 23 double-doubles and 25 double-digit rebounding games. Soriano, a 6’11” senior who should have one year of eligibility left if he chooses to use it, was consistent. In conference play, he was the league’s best defensive rebounder (measured by the percentage of defensive rebounds he grabbed while on the court).

Nationally, he was top-30 in offensive and defensive rebounding percentage. He coupled that performance with efficient offense, including a solid jumper out to 18 feet, some blocked shots, and made the offense better when he was on the floor.

AJ Storr, a 6’6” freshman, came on strong for St. John’s in conference play. Shooting nearly 40% from deep in Big East games, and 41% from deep overall, the guard flashed a game that showed solid promise in the future. He scored in double figures in 11 games, and showed some ability to drive to the basket and rebound as well.

Only Posh Alexander made the Big East’s preseason all-league teams at the beginning of the season from St. John’s

The list of Big East honorees for 2023 is below.

ALL-BIG EAST FIRST TEAM

• Jordan Hawkins, Connecticut, G, So., 6-5, 195, Gaithersburg, Md.
• Adama Sanogo, Connecticut, F, Jr., 6-9, 245, Bamako, Mali
• Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton, C, Jr., 7-1, 260, Florissant, Mo.
• *Tyler Kolek, Marquette, G, Jr., 6-3, 190, Cumberland, R.I.
• *Bryce Hopkins, Providence, F, So., 6-7, 220, Oak Park, Ill.
• Souley Boum, Xavier, G, Gr., 6-3, 175, Oakland, Calif.

ALL-BIG EAST SECOND TEAM

• Oso Ighodaro, Marquette, F, Jr., 6-9, 215, Chandler, Ariz.
• Kam Jones, Marquette, G, So., 6-4, 195, Memphis, Tenn.
• Joel Soriano, St. John’s, C, Sr., 6-11, 260, Yonkers, N.Y.
• Eric Dixon, Villanova, F, R-Jr., 6-8, 255, Willow Grove, Pa.
• Colby Jones, Xavier, G, Jr., 6-6, 205, Birmingham, Ala.

ALL-BIG EAST HONORABLE MENTION

• Trey Alexander, Creighton, G, So., 6-4, 190, Oklahoma City, Okla.
• Baylor Scheierman, Creighton, G, Sr., 6-7, 205, Aurora, Neb.
• Devin Carter, Providence, G, So., 6-3, 195, Miami, Fla.
• Jack Nunge, Xavier, C, Jr., 7-0, 245, Newburgh, Ind. (repeat)

BIG EAST ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM

• Donovan Clingan, Connecticut, C, 7-2, 265, Bristol, Ct.
• *Alex Karaban, Connecticut, F, 6-8, 210, Southborough, Mass.
• AJ Storr, St. John’s, G, 6-6, 200, Rockford, Ill.
• Mark Armstrong, Villanova, G, 6-2, 180, South Orange, N.J.
• *Cam Whitmore, Villanova, F, 6-7, 232, Odenton, Md.
• Desmond Claude, Xavier, G, 6-5, 195, New Haven, Conn.

*Denotes unanimous selection