The St. John’s basketball program could be interested in the JUCO market for the Class of 2021.
Mike Anderson and the St. John’s coaching staff are no strangers to testing the JUCO recruiting boards to try and help the Red Storm out.
In his first season Anderson brought in Damien Sears from Western Oklahoma State, who announced he would transfer from Queens following the season, but the Johnnies are also bringing in JUCO All-American Vince Cole and Isaih Moore for the 2020-21 season.
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
However, there could be more JUCO product on the Red Storm in 2021-22 as the Johnnies have shown interest in Class of 2021 guard Michael Thomas.
Thomas is a Lake Charles, Louisiana native who currently is a standout for Kilgore College (TX).
The 6-foot-4 guard played in 29 games during his freshman season, averaging 14.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 51.9 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from 3-point range.
Thomas was named to the Region 14 First Team All-Region, and told The Next Prospect that he has received offers from Cal State Bakersfield, Coastal Carolina, Grambling State, Houston, Southern, and Troy.
As a rising sophomore, Thomas is also receiving some interest from major Division I schools including St. John’s, Seton Hall, Creighton, Georgetown, Georgia, Ole Miss, Louisville, and Mississippi State.
ALSO READ: St. John’s showing interest in 7-footer with ties to the program
St. John’s does not yet have a commit in the Class of 2021 and the program has not been linked to as many junior college prospects compared to the laundry list of high school players Mike Anderson is trying to bring to Queens.
While adding Michael Thomas to the program would be a major positive for the Red Storm, fans could get a glimpse of how impactful JUCO players could be in Queens based off the season Cole and Moore have.
ALSO READ: Nick Rutherford bids heartfelt farewell to St. John’s program
Expect St. John’s to continue its pursuit of high school players in future recruiting classes while using the junior college route as a backup or
plan.