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The ACC-bound Syracuse Orange are raking in the talent.
Chris McCullough - Dwight Hardy's friend, Bronx native, and top-25 recruit for 2014 committed to play for Jim Boeheim's squad.
St. John's was considered to be in good shape for the 6'10", 220 pound forward's services up until days ago. McCullough is currently at New Hampshire's Brewster Academy, and plays AAU ball for New York City's Team Scan.
But even over the summer - where he was quoted by Adam Zagoria as being excited to play in Madison Square Garden - McCullough spoke of playing at Syracuse with fellow New Yorkers Isaiah Whitehead and Jermaine Lawrence. "I like... their transition offense, I like their coaching style and the players are good people," McCullough said to Zagsblog.
It's unfortunate, but McCullough's enrollment is two years away. St. John's does not yet have any committed recruits for 2013, but the staff is tailing a pair of high-end 2013 players in lead guard Rysheed Jordan and forward Jermaine Lawrence; 6'4" guard Whitehead is still being recruited by St. John's. Lawrence attended the Sonoma State exhibition on Saturday. Red Storm Tip Off had a who's who of up-and-coming New York City talent.
Still, the Red Storm lost out on forward targets for 2013 Ishmail Wainright to Baylor and Jarell Martin to Louisiana State. And for a coach who loves to rake in talent, the loss of Chris McCullough has to be a blow to championship dreams - and to the idea of St. John's dominating New York-area talent once more.
As Lavin proved with this year's recruiting class, there is still time to bring in high-level talent.
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