St. John’s basketball expecting big things from JUCO All-American

The St. John’s basketball program is expecting for major contributions from its JUCO All-American.

There was always hype surrounding Vince Cole entering the St. John’s basketball program but that. hype grew exponentially bigger following the departure of LJ Figueroa from the school.

Cole and Figueroa have very similar skill sets and with only one player on the roster, head coach Mike Anderson will turn to Vince Cole to try and fill the void left by arguably the best player on the Johnnies’ roster from a season ago.

Vince Cole went from York Preparatory Academy, a South Carolina-based high school, right to junior college at University of South Carolina Salkehatchie.

In his freshman season at USC Salkehatchie, he was named a Second Team All-American and the NJCAA Region X Player of the Year after averaging 18.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, shooting 47.4-percent shooting, 44.1-percent from 3-point territory, and 86.8-percent from the free throw line.

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After an outstanding first season, Cole put forth an even better second season at USC Salkehatchie as he was named as a First Team All-America and NJCAA Region X Player of the Year.

Cole averaged 21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 51.8 percent from the floor, 44.6 percent from 3-point range and 90.1 percent from the free throw line.

The 6-foot-6, 185 pound wing was ranked as a three-star recruit and the No. 21 junior college player in his class, according to the 247 Sports Composite JUCO Rankings. Cole was also the No. 7 shooting guard and No. 2 player from the state of South Carolina.

How will Vince Cole fit with the St. John’s basketball program?

In Mike Anderson’s up-tempo style of play, Vince Cole should be an instant impact player for St. John’s as it will look to have a more balanced attack in 2020-21.

Cole was also named to CBS Sports’ John Rothstein’s ‘JUCO Transfers to Watch‘ in the upcoming season.

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If the Charleston, South Carolina native is able to fill Figueroa’s role on the team, but can shoot it with more consistency from the perimeter the Red Storm could shock many people in the Big East this season.

Vince Cole will see his first action at a Division I program on November 25 as St. John’s opens up its season at home against an opponent yet to be determined.