St. John's hopes dashed; Isaiah Briscoe commits to Kentucky

The season has not begun yet for St. John's, but they have already experienced a number of disappointments. In the past two weeks, two players have been ruled academically ineligible and St. John's is now down to nine scholarship players.

You can now add Isaiah Briscoe to that list of disappointments.

The talented guard from New Jersey announced on ESPNU today that he will be taking his talent to Lexington.

In October Briscoe cut his list down to three schools and it appeared to be a race between St. John's and Kentucky. Unfortunately for Steve Lavin, John Calipari won out and obtained a commitment from Briscoe.

Steve Lavin had been recruiting Briscoe for most of high school career and it appeared that St. John's was in the lead for his services. However, Kentucky jumped into the race late and eventually stole the show. The opportunity to play at a program that has produced nineteen current NBA players was too good for Briscoe to pass up.

This is a big blow to the St. John's 2015 recruiting campaign.

Without Briscoe, Steve Lavin's and his staff's work to replenish a roster that will be nearly bare next season just gotten more difficult. Briscoe was expected to be the centerpiece of their 2015 class and bring other prospects.

Steve Lavin and his staff must now pivot their focus to other game changing prospects who can start - and have an impact - immediately.

St. John's is graduating five seniors this year, but still doesn't have a commitment from a player in the 2015 class. They have had discussions with many prospects,however, nothing appears to be imminent.

Obviously it is still early, but at the moment the recruiting future is looking less bright for St. John's.