It’s only been one game, but Keyshawn Hall has been a revelation for the St. John’s basketball team since he joined the program.
The Auburn transfer, who has played at four different schools prior to joining the Johnnies, has seen it all in the college basketball world and his various experiences has transitioned very smoothly to his new team.
Hall displayed his effortless scoring both in the preseason and in St. John’s season opening win over Monmouth with 26 points in 33 minutes while shooting 9-for-16 from the field, including a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line. His scoring output was headlined by 20 points in the first half.
Yet while Keyshawn Hall has proven to be a very efficient scorer for St. John’s, his head coach, Rick Pitino, is looking for more from the veteran from a leadership standpoint as St. John’s looks for replacements for Zuby Ejiofor, Dillon Mitchell, and Sadiku Ibine Ayo.
“I think on this basketball team, there’s not a strong personality like Zuby,” Pitino said on Wednesday afternoon at Madison Square Garden before St. John’s practice.
“They all need to step up, and they all need to be accountable for our defenses and offenses.”
The Hall of Famer was hesitant to say that his backcourt of Quinn Ellis and Ian Jackson could be the vocal leaders of the team due to their quiet personalities, but expressed the idea that players like Tounde Yessoufou, Keyshawn Hall, and Ruben Prey need to take the leap, especially the Auburn transfer.
“I think there’s leadership qualities with these guys, they’re just shy because they don’t know each other,” Pitino explained. “They all want to score, but only Keyshawn understands how to score the right way.”
“Keyshawn’s a bucket getter, and he wants to score, but he understands help defense.”
Hall also landed nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals on Monday night.
“It’s got to be Keyshawn,” he added on the leadership void. “He’s going to have to step up and do it, but they all have to step up.”
No. 13 St. John’s (1-0) will host Iona (1-0) inside Madison Square Garden on Sunday afternoon (12:00 p.m. ET, Peacock).
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