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Rumors: 2016 recruits Kassoum Yakwe + Shamorie Ponds nearing decisions

Can the Johnnies land two top targets in one weekend?

By Norman Rose
Kelly Kline

St. John's has a new coach, a nearly-filled roster for this season, but the future of recruiting - a class that will shape the tone of Chris Mullin's early efforts on the recruiting trail.

But, some good news is in the rumor mill.

Shamorie Ponds will be playing in the Elite 24 event tomorrow at Brooklyn Bridge; will he want to announce on national television? He's also been interested in committing before the season, so he can fully concentrate on his senior season at Brooklyn's Thomas Jefferson High School. The top 100 guard is a scoring point guard has been a top target of the Red Storm, and would be a highly public recruiting victory for the Johnnies.

And wait! There is more on one of the Red Storm's other targets.

From 247 Sports:

The 6-7 über athlete out of Centereach (N.Y.) Our Savior New American School is coming off official visits to both Oregon and St. John's. Sources indicate that St. John's will be his destination.

Ranked No. 80 in the 2016 Top247 and No. 118 in the 247Sports Composite, Yakwe will attempt to qualify as a 2015 recruit and perhaps even as a partial qualifier for 2015.

Yakwe, a power forward who could reclassify to the 2015 class, would also be an excellent recruit, and one in more of an area of need for the Red Storm. With a thin roster of forwards - Amar Alibegovic, Christian Jones, Yankuba Sima, and Darien Williams available as forwards next season - getting Yakwe available and eligible next season would help with the team's depth immensely.

If he's a partial qualifier? Yakwe can get some classes under his belt while training with the team and building his strength and skill along with transfer center Tariq Owens.

These are rumors, of course. But the smell of good news has to be intoxicating for eager fans.

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