BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: ST. JOHN'S

April 29, 2008


COMMITMENT ALERT: Quincy Roberts (G), Harrisburg (PA) High School and Ty Edmondson (PG), University Heights (KY)


Projected 2008-2009 Roster:

Seniors: Anthony Mason (F), Tomas Jasiulionis F/C)
Juniors: None
Sophomores: Justin Burrell (PF), Malik Boothe (PG), Rob Thomas (F), Ayodele Coker (C), Paris Horne (G), DJ Kennedy (G), Sean Evans (F)
Freshman: Quincy Roberts (G), Ty Edmondson (PG)


It has nearly been a year since the last time we reported on a commitment for the St. John's basketball program and now two pull the trigger in two days as Quincy Roberts from Harrisburg (PA) and Ty Edmondson of University Heights Academy in Kentucky end the drought. Norm Roberts needed backcourt help with the recent transfer of Larry Wright and he followed up the news of Roberts to St. John's (zagsblog) with Edmondson to St. John's (zagsblog) being announced on the heels of the first commitment.

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Things have not gone well for St. John's. Another seaso of no post-season, filled with embarrassing losses at Madison Square Garden. More transfers out of the program dominate the news in he spring and, until April 29th, no recruiting news to speak off at all, unless you count the numerous area prospects that have opted for other schools for their college careers.

Norm Roberts long-term future is very uncertain with the Redstorm and that is obviously not going to help on the recruiting trail. Despite that uncertainty, Roberts and staff were able to land a solid commitment from Harrisburg High School's Quincy Roberts. The 6'4, 190 lb guard was one time a commitment for Miami (FL), but opted not to sign last fall and re-opened his recruitment. Roberts' recruitment had been rather quiet throughout the season, but after averaging over 18 points a game, along with 6 rebounds and 5 assists, the Mid-Penn all-conference selection suddenly saw a spike in his recruiting as he quickly became one of the top unsigned prospects left on the recruiting board. After considering Virginia as well, Roberts decided to join the Redstorm program and pledged to Norm Roberts on Tuesday morning.

It is late in the process and St. John's still has three scholarships open and could use some post offense and another point guard. Adam Zagoria recently took a look at the St. John's Recruiting Options (Zagsblog) in the backcourt. Karon Burton, 5'7 point guard from the powerful Chester program is an intriguing option at this point. Burton is a flamboyant lead guard and has a connection with Quincy Roberts as the two Penssylvania hoop stars are Bonded by Tragedy (SI.com) after losing their fathers.

Other players on the radar include Ty Edmondson of University Heights (KY) High school, Bobby Maze of Hutchinson (KS) CC, Stefan Bonneau on SUNY-Orange and Sean Kilpatrick of White Plains, all guards and all with question marks of if they are Big East-level players. Another big man on the radar is Jordan Henriquez who is likely to attend prep school next season.

Now, you can take Edmondson off the list of possibilities and place him on the St. John's roster for 2008-2009. Edmondson is an athletic and tall guard that will help run the show for St. John's, giving Malik Boothe help handling the ball. A very strong senior season was punctuated by winning the slam-dunk contest in the Kentucky-Ohio All-Star game. As a senior, Edmondson averaged 18.4 points per game, 6.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.7 steals at UHA helping the Blazers to a 30-5 record helping the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) District 8 and Region 2 championship.

With no players left in the rising junior class, St. John's might be wise to go the JUCO route to fill a couple holes and try to balance their roster just a bit. Either way, the seven-player sophomore class makes roster distribution difficult and the pickings are definitely slim at this point in time.

Quincy Roberts and Ty Edmondson are solid additions, especially for the later signing period, but the Redstorm and coach Norm Roberts still have work to do and little to work with as the Class of 2008 thins out rapidly.