BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: ST. JOHN'S

October 10, 2006


COMMITMENT ALERT: Ayodele Coker (C), South Kent Prep School (CT)


Projected 2007-2008 Roster:


SENIORS: Eugene Lawrence (G), Avery Patterson (SG)
JUNIORS: Anthony Mason (F), Ricky Torres (SG), Tomas Jasiulionis F/C)
SOPHOMRES: Larry Wright (G), Qa'rraan Calhoun (F), Derwin Kitchen (SG)
FRESHMEN: Justin Burrell (PF), Malik Boothe (PG), Rob Thomas (F), Ayodele Coker (C)




With starting big men Lamont Hamilton and Aaron Spears both being seniors, the Redstorm and coach Norm Roberts made Ayodele Coker a priority recruit several months ago. Over the weekend, those efforts paid off as Storm Lands 6'10 Coker.

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As mentioned in our earlier St. John's recruiting update, Ayodele Coker was a priority for the Redstorm staff as they needed to add size. After taking a weekend visit and attending the "Storm Fest" on the St. John's campus, Coker opted to commit to St. John's over Pittsburgh and cancel visits to Indiana, Notre Dame and Kentucky and resist overtures from Florida. Coker is a 6'10 post player that plays hard all the time. he does not give up space easily inside or an easy two points. Like most big men, he is still developing his skills on the offensive side of the floor, but reports of his improvement have been common all summer. On a very loaded South Kent team last year, Coker averaged a very modest six point and seven rebounds a game playing with Gilbert Brown (Pittsburgh), Rob Thomas (St. John's), Mathew Bryan-Amanning (Washington '07), etc.

With Coker, St. John's now has two players in the recruiting class who averaged less than 7 PPG as juniors, as Malik Boothe averaged the same at Christ the King HS last season. However, these are players that will fit in and contribute in any situation as they will do the little things. Coker will set screens, box out and play physical 100% of the time. Boothe is small, but packs a defensive punch on the perimeter and is an ultimate true-PG. The other new commit for 2007 is the ultra-athletic and strong PF Justin Burrell. St. John's also got word in the last month that Rob Thomas, also from South Kent, did not make it academically to play in 2006-2007, but the plan is for him to suit up by the second semester in time for the 2007-2008 season. Not sure if he will still be classified as a freshmen (which will make him one of the oldest frosh in a long time), but the plan is for him to be with the Redstorm.

With the final scholarship currently open, the Redstorm have many irons in the fire with players of all different positions, mostly at the SF spot. One combo forward that SJU would love to nab is Tyrone Nash, who recently spurned several 2006 offers, one from Kentucky, to prep another year. Nash is also spotted often around the SJU campus. Another player the Redstorm have been seen evaluating very intensly this summer has been Hamidu Rahman, the 6'11 NJ native now playing at American Christian in PA. Rahman is another big body that takes up space and is improving as he develops more and more basketball skill. Both Coker and Rahman play against top-flight competition year-round and are learning to use their large frames against other players their size. Another player known for using his size is Brian Williams of NYC (now playing at Harmony Prep in OH). Williams is another player that many high-majors, including the Redstorm, have evaluated often. Williams does have to control his weight and improve his conditioning, but he has excellent hands and is more advanced with his footwork than many at this stage. He is not afraid to pummel an opponent with his size. Brandon Walters of Lincoln, HS in Brooklyn is not as physical as the other big man targets, but he has some impressive upside with his athletic ability and skills to step away from the hoop to knock down a jumper out to the 3-pt line. Walters is a high-upside player that could turn into an excellent player as he gets stronger and more intense inside.



With Coker in the fold, the Redstorm could still look to add more size, but I expect Tyrone Nash to be the player they pursue the hardest. If that doesn't work out, I could also see them looking towards the JUCO ranks for a big man later in the recruiting season. With only Tomas Jasiulionis and Coker on the roster in the post, another big body ready to contribute might be a good idea.

In any event, things are definitely more exciting now with Norm Roberts. Now, winning on the court will help give the program another push to finish the rebuilding on the recruiting trail.