St. John’s basketball: Mike Anderson shows commitment to players
St. John’s basketball head coach Mike Anderson showed his commitment to his former players on Friday by congratulating his former Arkansas players on graduating.
There’s no debating the loyalty of St. John’s basketball head coach Mike Anderson.
The former University of Arkansas head coach put that on display once again on Friday afternoon after congratulating his former player, Adrio Bailey, on his graduation from the school.
Arkansas fired Anderson after the 2018-19 season following the third straight postseason appearance for the Razorbacks and the fifth postseason appearance in the past six seasons.
After what looked liked Anderson was headed for a season of not coaching, St. John’s came calling and the 60-year old answered and accepted, becoming the 25th head coach in school history.
Congratulations @adriobailey .So proud of you and I know the best is yet to come #FOE https://t.co/TFoUzF2HSh
— Coach Mike Anderson (@Iron_MikeMA) May 8, 2020
In his first season in Queens, Anderson has preached loyalty, intensity, and passion surrounding the once elite college basketball program and instilling his basketball philosophy, the Red Storm managed to keep his streak of finishing at least .500 each season with a 17-15 season.
Through these qualities, it is not surprising that Anderson is still thinking about his former Arkansas players and it should only pay dividends for St. John’s in attracting players that know their coach will be cornered about them when they are no longer in Queens or off the basketball court.
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In his eight years at Arkansas, Anderson led the Razorbacks to the NCAA Tournament three time and to the NIT twice.
Adrio Bailey has one of his best seasons under Anderson at Arkansas, playing 34 games in the 2018-19 season, averaging 5.6 points and 3.0 rebounds, shooting 44.4 percent from the field.
Bailey is graduating the University of Arkansas with a degree in Recreation and Sports Management.
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It is the small things that can make a big difference with a recruit and this small gesture proves once again that St. John’s made the right decision in hiring Mike Anderson to be the head coach of its basketball program.