Rysheed Jordan committs to St Johns

Now the only remaining un-commited prospect in the ESPN100 happens to be the #1 prospect, Andrew Wiggins

Fran Dunphy sucks at recruiting

UCLA would have been a better fit. St. John’s has a starting PG already who still has two more years of eligibility. Last time I checked UCLA had no starting PG.

Oops, didn’t see that UCLA signed up a PG. But still nonetheless, Rysheed had a chance to start immediately at UCLA. At St. John’s he’s behind a couple guards. If he doesn’t get used to coming off the bench his first year I bet he transfers.

It’s a solid choice stylistically. St John’s plays an up and down, helter skelter type style and really look to get out in the open court and drive the ball. I’m not sure how their system will improve him as a basketball player, but it suits him well.

I think kids tend to look for a comfort zone, a system where they can continue to do what they do well, as opposed to a system that will force them to improve the aspects of the game that they need work on to be a better player at the next level. Reminds me of an article I read the other day on Rivals. 5 star sophomore recruit Charles Matthews from around my way offered a refreshing outlook on improving as a player. This is what he said:

“I hear kids say that they always want to get up and down but you are going to have to run sets in college”
http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1493454&PT=4&PR=2

Getting up and down is fun, but basketball beyond HS and AAU is and SHOULD be more than just getting up and down the floor.

But back to Jordan, as has already been mentioned, playing time could be an issue as a freshman, but luckily since St John’s plays so fast they do run with some 3 guard sets and play their share of zone to cover up match up problems.

If Jordan warrants play time, he’ll get it. Period. These starting guards didnt lead St Johns to a great season, so while Branch and Green had good seasons, Jordan will certainly have a shot if he plays more effectively, and his play leads to wins. The problem I have is how similar the guards are in stature. Thats four guards 6’2-6’3 between about 180 and 210. It may be hard to really differentiate himself unless he’s significantly better.. But he’ll have a chance.

Rysheed Jordan will get playing time and a chance to start im saying this because you dont bring in a top 20 recruit to sit on the bench or play a role player role unless your team is stacked which St.John’s isnt. I see Coach Lavin throwing out a starting lineup of Jordan,Harrison, Sampson,Sanchez, and Obekpa next year which would give them a big team to run with. Also with Phil Greene, Jamal Branch, and Max Hooper God’s Gift and Marco Bougout off the bench. Im excited for the 2013-2014 season for the Johnnies.