The newest St. John’s basketball commit will not be coming to Queens.
It was a short-lived commitment for Jaquan Sanders and the St. John’s basketball program.
Just 20 days after verbally committing to the Johnnies, Sanders announced via social media on Monday night that he would be decommitting from the Red Storm and reopening his recruitment.
“After talking to my family I have decided to decommit and re-open up my recruitment. I want to thank Coach Anderson and the St. John’s staff for everything, I appreciate it,” Sanders tweeted.
After talking to my family I have decided to decommit and re-open up my recruitment. I want to thank Coach Anderson and the St. John’s staff for everything, I appreciate it 🙏🏾
— Jaquan Sanders (@Jay__Sanders2) October 4, 2021
St. John’s landed a commitment from Sanders on September 14 after an intense battle with Seton Hall for the services of the three-star guard.
Jaquan Sanders opened up regarding his decision to the New York Post stating that his family, specifically his mother, did not want him to remain close to his Far Rockaway home for college and potentially expose himself to bad influences and violence during his collegiate years.
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Sanders, an Our Savior Lutheran (NY) product, could have teamed up with his former high school teammates Posh Alexander and Dylan Addae-Wusu, who would have been entering their junior years when Sanders was a freshman in Queens.
After receiving a commitment from Jaquan Sanders, St. John’s bolted to the No. 31 recruiting class in the nation and No. 4 in the Big East Conference, according to 247Sports.
The rankings have yet to be updated following the decommitment of Sanders.
Jaquan Sanders is the first player to decommit from St. John’s under head coach Mike Anderson, but the reigning Big East Coach of the Year still has pledges from four-star guard AJ Storr and unranked point guard Kolby King in the Class of 2022.
Losing Jaquan Sanders has nothing to do with the recent lawsuit filed by former assistant coach Steve DeMeo against Mike Anderson and the school for wrongful termination.
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Given the trepidation surrounding Jaquan Sanders staying close to home for college it could eliminate Seton Hall from his new recruitment, along with the Iona Gales.
Sadiku Ayo, a current teammate of Sanders at Our Savior Lutheran, just committed to Iona and head coach Rick Pitino last week.
Ayo was being targeted by St. John’s at one point in his recruitment.
Prior to committing to St. John’s, Sanders held offers from UConn, Illinois, Creighton, UMass, Hofstra, Manhattan, Xavier, Seton Hall, and others.
He only took official visits to St. John’s and Seton Hall, however.
St. John’s will continue its preparation for the 2021-22 season as the Johnnies open the season November 9 against Mississippi Valley State.