St. John’s basketball unexpectedly lands former Texas Tech signee

Mike Anderson and the St. John’s basketball program unexpectedly landed a former Texas Tech signee.

It always felt like the St. John’s basketball program wanted to add one more piece to its 2020-21 roster or add another player to its 2021 recruiting class.

Luckily for Mike Anderson, he got a little bit of both after landing Esahia Nyiwe, a JUCO standout and former Texas Tech signee.

CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein was the first to report the news of the commitment while Zach Braziller of the New York Post reported that the program will try to get its newest player an immediate eligibility waiver from the NCAA.

Nyiwe expectedly will enroll at St. John’s for the second semester, and there have been rumors that the NCAA will pass a blanket waiver which would allowing all transfers to be immediately eligible in the 2020-21 season.

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The NCAA has already passed a rule where this season will not count against the eligibility of any player.

Prior to signing with Texas Tech this summer, Nyiwe played at Clarendon College (TX) and averaged 8.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 2.2 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game, shooting 67.2-percent from the field and 33.3-percent from 3-point range.

At 6-foot-10, 210 pounds, Esahia Nyiwe is ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 49 power forward in his class, according to 247 Sports.

How Esahia Nyiwe fits with the St. John’s basketball team

Through four games, the Red Storm seems disjoined at the forward position with Isaih Moore, Josh Roberts, Arnaldo Toro, and Marcellus Earlington.

Would Nyiwe help sort things out or complicate things more as another rim protector in the paint for the Johnnies?

It remains to be seen, but St. John’s needs to figure out its front court rotation prior to Big East play next Friday evening.

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St. John’s is doing the right thing by trying to get a waiver for Esahia Nyiwe, but if he does become eligible do not expect him to immediately come in and make an impact with the Red Storm.

It will take time, and give the eligibility rules for this season, it could turn out to be a developmental year in preparation for the 2021-22 campaign.