One of the top transfer portal players in the country, Xaivian Lee, is expected to make a decision soon on where he will play next season after completing three major visits.
The former Princeton standout began his process with many suitors and after dwindling his list down to St. John’s and Florida he took a surprise visit to Kansas after he left New York, which catapulted the Jayhawks into the conversation.
However, there is reason to believe that the point guard will not end up in Lawerence.
Lee most recently visited Florida, who has been considered at the favorite to land him, on Monday and as he leaves Gainesville the college basketball world waits for his decision.
The 6-foot-4 native of Canada averaged 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game last season for the Tigers while shooting 43.9-percent from the floor and 36.6-percent from 3-point range. He was named as a First Team All-Ivy League selection for the second consecutive season.
If the race for his services comes down to St. John’s and Florida, it will bring back memories of the recruiting battle between the two schools for Walter Clayton Jr.
The former Iona standout under Rick Pitino was debating whether to follow the Hall of Famer to Queens or return closer to family in the Sunshine State where his girlfriend was expecting their first child.
Clayton opted for the Gators over the Johnnies and turned into a superstar in his second season with Florida, winning the Most Valuable Player of the SEC Tournament and the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament enroute to a National Championship.
Now, St. John’s will hope it can win the recruiting battle between the two programs and find the replacement in the backcourt for Kadary Richmond, who has exhausted all of his eligibility.