Iowa State's Matt Abdelmassih to join Chris Mullin's Red Storm staff

In the Mullinverse, things are getting realer before tomorrow's announcement - which we will cover - because the staff Chris Mullin needs to succeed is coming together.

There had been rumors that Kentucky assistant Barry "Slice" Rohrssen was under consideration for the staff. An old friend of Chris Mullin's, Slice is also a former head coach at Manhattan, a former recruiter for Pitt, and a man known to have real pull in gyms around New York City.

But instead, Chris Mullin - who officially accepts the job tomorrow - will hire 30-year old Iowa State assistant Matt Abdelmassih, a Brooklyn native and strong recruiter - a St. John's grad who happens to have been a St. John's team manager ten years ago.

Iowa State assistant Matt Abdelmassih announces he's joining Chris Mullin's staff #sjubb pic.twitter.com/GJiuLDDOlv

— Terrence Payne (@terrence_payne) March 31, 2015

Abdelmassih, Iowa State's recruiting ace, is one of the reasons Iowa State was considered to be in strong stead with Our Savior New American forward Cheick Diallo, who reportedly was a little cool on St. John's after watching Chris Obekpa's slow development.

Diallo is listed as a top-10 or top-15 forward in the major scouting services in the 2015 class.

Abdelmassih also worked with Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The stars haven't aligned yet, and Mullin still has a coaching staff to fill out.

Ed Pinckney, now of the pro Chicago Bulls and formerly an assistant with the Villanova Wildcats is said to be under consideration; he received looks for a head coaching job in the NBA. Also under consideration are Chris' brother Terrence Mullin - a former player and and possibly former St. John's guard Ron Rowan. Other names will likely come up in the next few days.