St. John’s basketball reaches out to 2021 junior college shooting guard

The St. John’s basketball program has recently reached out to 2021 JUCO recruit Ben Bayela.

The St. John’s basketball program is continuing to hit the JUCO recruiting trail as it was reported that the Red Storm have contacted Class of 2021 JUCO recruit Ben Bayela. 

The news of the program’s recent interest was reported by JUCO Recruiting.

Listed as a 6-foot-6 shooting guard, Bayela just finished up his first season at South Plains Community College in Levelland, Texas where he averaged 12.2 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, shooting 40-percent from the field and 38-percent from three-point range.

ALSO READ: Big East, Big 12 determined to play conference battle

The French native is also being pursued by Oklahoma State, Wichita State, Tulsa, and Texas A&M.

He is ranked as a two-star recruit on Verbal Commits and no official word of an offer from Mike Anderson or his coaching staff.

The one important part of his stats is that 38-percent efficiency from beyond the arc as perimeter shooting is something that the Red Storm really struggled with last season.

Whether it would be off the bench or in the starting lineup, Bayela could be a valuable addition as a sweet-shooting scoring wing that can provide a boost to the Johnnies in an area that is arguably their biggest weakness.

ALSO READ: St. John’s reaches back out to JUCO standout Michael Thomas

The Red Storm currently only have one commitment in the Class of 2021 in Harlem native and 6-foot-7 forward, Drissa Traore.

While a big and dominating rim protector is certainly the priority going forward in the Red Storm’s Class of 2021 recruiting class, a wing player like Bayela with the ability to knock down perimeter shots will also be welcome.

There has been no timetable on when Ben Bayela will make a decision or if St. John’s will extend an offer, but it would be an interesting piece for the Red Storm to have to improve their shooting struggles.