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St. John’s basketball transfer LJ Figueroa commits to Oregon Ducks

By Kevin Connelly

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 17: LJ Figueroa #30 of the St. John's basketball team attempts a shot against the Xavier Musketeers at Madison Square Garden on February 17, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 17: LJ Figueroa #30 of the St. John's basketball team attempts a shot against the Xavier Musketeers at Madison Square Garden on February 17, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
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St. John’s basketball transfer LJ Figueroa has committed to the Oregon Ducks if he withdraws from the 2020 NBA Draft.

LJ Figueroa is headed West as the former St. John’s wing has announced his intentions to transfer to Oregon.

Figueroa joined the Red Storm two seasons ago under head coach Chris Mullin and entered the transfer portal after it was announced that the former Red Storm legend and the school parted ways.

New head coach Mike Anderson was able to keep Figueroa in Queens for his junior season but after the expectation was that the All-Big East wing would return to the program for his senior if he withdrew from the 2020 NBA Draft.

ALSO READ: LJ Figueroa’s departure might not be as devastating

While the 6-foot-6 wing has not officially withdrew from the draft, he announced on his Instagram that he would join Dana Altman’s Oregon Ducks.

LJ Figueroa averaged 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.9 steals per game in his first year under Mike Anderson while shooting 37.9 percent from the floor and 36.5 percent from 3-point range.

The newest Oregon Duck entered his name in the 2020 NBA Draft on March 28, while maintaining his eligibility but then it was made public that he would enter the transfer portal on May 26.

LJ Figueroa thanked both Mullin and Anderson in his Instagram post and is also going to apply for an NCAA hardship waiver that would make him immediately eligible next season in Eugene.

ALSO READ: Transferring makes the least sense for LJ Figueroa

The main basis behind Figueroa’s application for a waiver will be the coronavirus pandemic as New York was one of the hot spots in the country but now the curve has dropped off tremendously and it has been one of the better locations in the United States.

St. John’s still has one open scholarship spot for the 2020-21 season, something that Mike Anderson doesn’t necessarily have to fill but it looks likely that the Red Storm will try and find that next scholarship player.