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St. John’s basketball: NCAA pushes back NBA Draft withdrawal deadline

By Kevin Connelly

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 11: LJ Figueroa #30 of the St. John's basketball team reacts after scoring in the second half against the Georgetown Hoyas during the first round of the Big East Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 11, 2020 in New York City. The St. John's Red Storm won 75-62. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 11: LJ Figueroa #30 of the St. John's basketball team reacts after scoring in the second half against the Georgetown Hoyas during the first round of the Big East Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 11, 2020 in New York City. The St. John's Red Storm won 75-62. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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The NCAA has pushed back the withdrawal date for those underclassmen who have declared for the NBA Draft to return to their respective colleges as the St. John’s basketball team awaits LJ Figueroa’s decision.

There is more uncertainty surrounding the NBA Draft and the prospects for underclassmen who have declared while maintaining their colligate eligibility.

This week Dan Gavitt, the NCAA’s senior vice president of basketball, announced that there will be an indefinite extension on the deadline in which these underclassmen have to make their official decision whether to pursue their NBA dreams or return to college for another season.

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The previous deadline was June 3, however, due to the coronavirus, the ongoing discussions the NBA is having surrounding the draft, and the already postponed NBA Draft Combine, the NCAA felt like this was a decision that had to be made.

Gavitt said that once the NBA makes their plans known, and official, the NCAA will set a new deadline for players to make a decision.

While some players have made their individual plans known, St. John’s is still waiting for the decision of junior wing LJ Figueroa.

Figueroa, the team’s leading scorer from a season ago, averaged 14.5 points points per game in his second season with the Red Storm and his first under head coach Mike Anderson.

The expectation is that the Lawrence, Massachusetts native will return to Queens for his senior season but the possibility still remains that the 6-foot-6 wing could pursue professional opportunities.

ALSO READ: Postponed NBA Combine puts St. John’s roster in flux

Assuming Figueroa does return to St. John’s he would fill the last remaining open scholarship for the 2020-21 season as the Red Storm have not been as active on the transfer market in recent weeks due to their scholarship limitation.

The Johnnies were pursuing Monmouth graduate transfer Ray Salnave but had to remove themselves from his recruitment due to the scholarship situation.

ALSO READ: What fans should expect from the St. John’s backcourt

St. John’s could be looking at a Top-4 finish in the Big East if LJ Figueroa returns and the Red Storm picks up right where they left off last season.