St. John’s basketball program squaring off with Big East rival for recruit

The St. John's basketball mascot dances during a timeout in the NCAA Tournament. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
The St. John's basketball mascot dances during a timeout in the NCAA Tournament. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The St. John’s basketball program is up against some tough competition for Class of 2021 prospect Samson Johnson.

Recruiting efforts in the Class of 2021 are starting to pick up once again for the St. John’s Red Storm and the program is battling its old time and once again new time rival the Connecticut Huskies for Samson Johnson.

Johnson’s AAU coach with the New York Jayhawks Jay David recently spoke with 247 Sports about his star forward’s recruitment and said that St. John’s, Connecticut, and Cincinnati have been calling the most but there are several schools still involved with the four-star.

More from Storm The Paint

Samson Johnson has most recently picked up an offer from the Providence Friars and completed a virtual meeting with Dan Hurley and the Huskies, something David said will be very important for the 6-foot-11 big man as it looks like he might not be able to visit schools in person because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Staring at The Patrick School in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Johnson picked up an offer from St. John’s back on April 15 and is currently ranked as the No. 88 player in the Class of 2021, No. 20 power forward, and No. 2 player in the state of New Jersey.

Miami, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, and Xavier have also extended offers to Samson Johnson.

The Red Storm do not have a commitment from a member of the Class of 2021 but the top three recruits St. John’s is targeting in the rising senior class are Jordan Riley, Franck Kepnang, Wesley Cardet Jr., and Johnson.

ALSO READ: St. John’s in deep trouble if not in Jordan Riley’s Top-5

Riley has reportedly dwindled down his list down to five schools but those five schools have not been released and he could make his decision by the end of the month.

Kepnang was rumored to be reclassifying into the Class of 2020 but has announced he will be staying in the Class of 2021 and has not yet provided a timetable for his commitment.

ALSO READ: St. John’s completes virtual meeting with Wesley Cardet Jr.

Cardet Jr. recently picked up an offer from the Red Storm and completed a virtual visit but it could be a long shot for him to land in Queens when he eventually announces his decision.

Samson Johnson also has not provided a timeline for his decision.