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Recruiting update: Johnnies looking to add size now, big stars in 2015

You've got recruiting questions. We've got [some] answers as we watch the recruiting season unfold.

By Norman Rose
Tim Lewis

The Red Storm have a full roster this season, and the staff is excited about depth and measurable progress from the team, which should be aided by the Johnnies' five-game European tour in August.

But college players don't stay for more than four years - and in the case of junior college players, usually not more than two.

With three players slated to exhaust their eligibility next spring in God`sGift Achiuwa, Orlando Sanchez, and Marc-Antoine Bourgault, three recruiting slots will open for incoming players in the 2014 class. Growth years from Chris Obekpa and JaKarr Sampson, and/ or an explosive season from Rysheed Jordan could have them signing paperwork to enter the NBA Draft.

Head Coach Steve Lavin told Adam Zagoria that bigs and wings were a priority during the recruiting period. St. John's offered a number of players late in the process, only to see talent like forwards Abdul-Malik Abu (to NC State) and Pascal Chukwu (to Providence) commit.

Former target Khadeen Carrington - who the Red Storm seemed to have cooled on - committed to Seton Hall, who are working on a decent haul in South Orange. Wing Jared Terrell was offered but chose Oklahoma State.

Who is of interest now?

Lavin's staff will still look at bigs to help with the team's depth next year and help replace Orlando Sanchez, who is expected to be an impact player. New names will pop up during the fall period, where coaches can visit high schools to watch workouts and invite players to Midnight Madness celebrations; St. John's has swooped in on recruiting targets quickly and effectively in the past.

We do know that the staff is focused on impact players for 2015. Steve Lavin has already having visited Roselle Catholic star guard Isaiah Briscoe, who has received an offer from St. John's.

Pope John XXIII (NJ) forward Moustapha Diagne, a 6'9" shot blocker and defender, has also received an offer from the Red Storm, according to reports. And Cheick Diallo, who was a bit of a sensation this summer as a 6'8" super-athletic shot blocker, has an offer from the Red Storm. Stephen Zimmerman, who may be the top-rated big man in the 2015 class, also has an offer from the Johnnies.

Read: Statistical insights on Cheick Diallo, Terry Larrier, Khadeen Carrington and more || Rumble in the Garden recruiting page

For this year, a name that has popped up on occasion is very big man Adonis de la Rosa, the 6'10", 270 pound center from Christ the King in Queens.

Wings Terry Larrier, Joe Burton, and Josh Cunningham are still uncommitted to a program, though neither seems to be mentioned St. John's in their recruiting conversations. Larrier, in particular, says he wants to leave NYC (Rivals video, $). Still, expect the Red Storm to continue searching for a wing in this class.

There is a solid chance that St. John's will hold an open scholarship for next year, where the staff has laid groundwork with some of the elite talents around the country and local AAU squads. Team Scan and NY Lightning have a number of players of interest, including Diallo, Thomas Bryant, Jessie Govan, and Mohamad Touray.

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