The St. John’s basketball program is pursing a recruit that has some big expectations on his shoulders entering a vital summer with limited outlets to showcase his talents.
Ramses Melendez holds himself in high regard and so does high school basketball team.
In a recent tweet highlighting the schools that are showing interest in the 6-foot-6 Class of 2021 guard, Central Pointe Christian Academy noted that the prospect will “blow up this summer, regardless of quarantine.”
More from Storm The Paint
- St. John’s soccer star makes history in thrilling win against Harvard
- St. John’s basketball schedule complete as Big East reveals matchups
- St. John’s basketball adds to recruiting class with 4-star wing Jaiden Glover
- St. John’s basketball: Daniss Jenkins officially cleared to join Johnnies
- St. John’s basketball prepares for busy weekend of official visits
That’s a very big claim considering a majority of the high school camps and showcases have been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
St. John’s extended an offer to the two-star recruit back in September 2019 as the Red Storm join Massachusetts, Rhode Island, South Florida, Florida Atlantic, Oklahoma State, and Florida as schools to offer Melendez, according to Verbal Commits.
The CPCA Twitter account also mentioned Central Florida, DePaul, Virginia Tech, Villanova, and Georgia Tech have been in contact with shooting guard although no official offer have been made from those programs.
The team account describes RJ Melendez as a high level and explosive athlete that has a very good outside shooting game as well as being known as a high efficiency scorer.
South Florida, UCF, DePaul, Virginia Tech, St. John's, Villanova, Georgia Tech and several others have been in pursuit of Class of '21 @MelendezRamses High level, explosive athlete w/outside shooting and high efficiency scoring will blow up this summer, regardless of quarantine.
— The Academy of Central Florida (@theacademycfl) May 19, 2020
Melendez, a two-star recruit, is a Hatillo, Puerto Rico native that currently resides in Kissimmee, Florida.
ALSO READ: Big East foes making push for extremely local recruit
St. John’s has been very active with the Class of 2021, especially with guards that have the ability to shoot the ball well, but the Johnnies have not been able to land a commitment from one of the top players in the junior class as of yet.
ALSO READ: St. John’s makes final cutdown of schools for prized recruit
However, the early contact that Mike Anderson and his staff have had with prospects could be beneficial for the Red Storm since recruits will not be able to showcase their talents and build relationships with high-profile coaches at recruiting events this summer.