BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: ST. JOHN'S

May 12, 2007


COMMITMENT ALERT: DJ Kennedy, 6'5 G from Schenley HS, Pittsburgh (PA)


Projected 2007-2008 Roster:


SENIORS: Eugene Lawrence (G)
JUNIORS: Anthony Mason (F), Tomas Jasiulionis F/C)
SOPHOMRES: Larry Wright (G), Qa'rraan Calhoun (F)
FRESHMEN: Justin Burrell (PF), Malik Boothe (PG), Rob Thomas (F), Ayodele Coker (C), Mike Cavataio (G/F), Paris Horne (G), DJ Kennedy (G)




DeJuan Blair and DJ Kennedy, teammates on Schenley High's Pennsylvania State Championship team will both be playing in the Big East next season. Blair signed with Pittsburgh last fall and Schenley's Kennedy Picks St. John's (pittsburgh Post-Gazette) last night.

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St. John's pulled off a mini recruiting coup with the late period addition of DJ Kennedy our of Pittsburgh. For several years, it was Pittsburgh coming into the NYC area and plucking players like Chris Taft, Carl Krauser, Ron Ramon, Keith Benjamin, etc, but here, St. John's goes into the steel city and picks up a quality player in Kennedy.

This past season at Schenley HS, Kennedy teamed with Pitt recruit Dejuan Blair to win a state championship. Kennedy averaged over 17 PPG and showed the ability to slash to the basket for points and knock down big free throws under pressure time and time again. Kennedy is a versatile player that can handle the ball very well at 6'5 and, like Blair, is an excellent passer for a high school player (especially for a non-point guard). Kennedy is not a great shooter, but he can get on a roll and he has the confidence to knock them down when needed. The St. John's staff got in the race for Kennedy late, but they earned the commitment when Kennedy pledged to St. John's over finalists Georgia and New Mexico State. At times in the last couple months Pittsburgh, Marquette, Xavier and Wisconsin were seen monitoring Kennedy's progress as well and he took a visit last fall to Kansas State when Bob Huggins was still their coach.


The Redstorm now have a seven-member freshmen class for 2007-2008 with the late additions of Kennedy, Paris Horne and Mike Cavataio, along with previous commitments from Ayodele Coker, Malik Boothe and Justin Burrell. The Redstorm will also add the services of Rob Thomas whi is sitting out this season and should be eligible to play by second semester next season. However, Thomas might be out for the entire season due to a knee injury that required surgery in early April. I am a little surprised the Redstorm did not opt to add some frontcourt depth with their last scholarships at this time. With the graduation of Lamont Hamilton and Aaron Spears, they are left only with Tomas Jasiulionis and freshman Ayodele Coker with the ideal size to play the post positions in the Big East. However, in the spring period, the pickings are usually slim and if you can add soem talent, which SJU did, you managed to accomplish something very good on the recruiting trail.

This is a very solid group of recruits for Norm Roberts. I would not expect anyone to come in and set the conference on fire, but over the course of four-year careers, they have added some solid college players. Justin Burrell is one that could really blossom as he has all the physical tools to be a stud in the Big East, but has only been playing basketball a few years. Coker has loads of potential for a big man and Boothe looks like a classic true point guard. Kennedy also should fare well in his career. Now, the key is keeping these kids at St. John's as nine of Roberts' previous 14 signees have not made it to the end of their eligibility with the Redstorm.

St. John's can continue their efforts with the class of 2008, but they currently have only two scholarships open for the class. Another big man to play strong inside, probably as a PF, will probably be the biggest priority. We will continue to monitor their prospects as we move towards spring.