There is still no update on the playing status of St. John’s basketball guard Deivon Smith.
After being benched during the second half of the Red Storm’s loss against Georgia in the Bahamas, Smith exchanged words with Rick Pitino that did not sit well with the head coach or the rest of the Johnnies.
The Utah transfer did not practice leading up to St. John’s game against Harvard last Saturday and did not play in the 77-64 victory.
Pitino said following the game that his players decided the discipline for Smith, and they would be the ones to decide when he will play again. However, that might not be completely accurate.
Deivon Smith took part in practice this week for the Red Storm and the St. John’s players determined that his punishment has concluded, but captain Zuby Ejiofor said on Friday afternoon that Pitino will make the ultimate decision on whether Smith plays.
“Ultimately that is Coach P’s decision,” Ejiofor explained on Smith’s playing status.
“We all support Deivon and we’re all looking forward to him getting back into the groove and just playing basketball.”
Smith is averaging 9.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game this season and would be a vital piece in the Red Storm’s attempt to slow down veteran Kansas State guard Dug McDainel, who scored 26 points on the Johnnies last season with Michigan.
“He’s a really good asset to this this team,” Ejiofor continued. “He’s been practicing, and he’s been bringing a lot of energy and positivity to the program. He’s just back to normal.”
Against the Bulldogs, Smith was limited to just four points on 1-of-7 shooting in 24 minutes. Pitino said he was looking for more shooting on the floor during his post-game press conference as to why he wasn’t in the game.
“It might take a while for him to gain some trust .”
Tipoff St. John's and Kansas State is 11:30 a.m. ET (FOX).