Johnny Jungle

The 6th Man of St. John's Basketball

For the die hard St. John's fan.
The unofficial 6th man. est. '07
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St. John’s Alum Mark Jackson Named Head Coach of the Golden State Warriors

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According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo, former St. John’s star Mark Jackson is taking the court once more, but, this time, as an NBA coach.

The Brooklyn native agreed to a 3-year deal worth more than $6 million with the Golden State Warriors to become the 24th head coach in the franchise’s history.

Jackson ranks 3rd all-time in NBA history in assists and now takes his first-ever coaching position with Golden State. (Photo: WordPress)
Jackson was a member of the Red Storm from 1983-1987, averaging 10.1 points and 5.6 assists per game in his collegiate career.

“Mark has always been a very bright, determined young man. He knows the game, and has experienced success at all levels. This is wonderful, this is what he wanted to do,” said Jackson’s former coach, St. John’s legend Lou Carnesecca. “His ability to lead is without question, he has always had that gift. And as a point guard he saw the game from all angles, which will help him tremendously as a coach.”

Jackson was drafted 18th overall in the 1987 NBA draft by the New York Knicks. He would also go on to play for the Los Angeles Clippers, Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets, with whom he retired in 2004.

In his 17-year career, Jackson dished out 10,334 assists, which ranks him 3rd all-time in NBA history.

After his playing career ended, Jackson went on to work for the YES Network as the New Jersey Nets play-by-play commentator. He then moved to ESPN/ABC, where he did the same alongside Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Breen.

In 2006, when Jackson left the YES Network, rumors swirled that he could fill the New York Knicks vacant head coaching position. Those rumors would be put to rest when New York agreed to terms with current head coach Mike D’Antoni. Then, in 2010, Jackson was also rumored to be a in the mix for the head coaching positions with the Nets and at his alma mater, St. John’s, but he remained with ESPN/ABC.

Jackson will inherit a Warriors team that features a solid group of young talent to work, led by guards Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry.

In a press release from the Warriors organization, Jackson expressed his appreciation for being offered the position, as well as making clear his vision for the team.

“I am really elated about this opportunity and I’m looking forward to the challenge of building the Warriors into a perennial contender,” said Jackson. “I cannot tell you how impressed I was with the organization during our meetings, beginning at the top with Joe Lacob and, of course, with Larry Riley, Bob Myers and Jerry West.”

ESPNU Rankings: Where St. John’s 2011 Recruits Landed

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ESPNU released its final 2011 recruiting rankings and St. John’s has six of its nine commits on that list.

#24 Sir’Dominic Pointer

(Photo: Facebook)
Pointer was the highest ranking Red Storm recruit, ending up in the Top 25. The Quality Education Academy (NC) forward is best-known for his hustle and defensive mindset. He finishes well on the fast break and is developing a strong mid-range game, to cap it off. He will likely compete for minutes at the small forward position, along with Maurice Harkless and Amir Garrett.

#31 Jakarr Sampson.

(Photo: Brewster Academy)
At 6’8”, Sampson is very athletic and, though he has played small forward in the past, his size and post moves will allow him to move down to the power forward spot and play on the block. Similar in body type to that of rising sophomore Dwayne Polee II, Sampson is a versatile defensively, able to defend shooting guards and both forward positions because of his quickness and wing span.

#38 Maurice Harkless.

(Photo: UConnBlog)
The 6’6” Jamaica, Queens small forward was the first 2011 recruit to sign with coach Steve Lavin after decommitting from UConn. Playing this past year at South Kent (CT), Harkless has been eye-catching, physically larger after having added a lot of muscle since his commitment. As another very athletic player in this class, Harkless moves well in the open court and has started to find an outside touch. Defensively, his agility and length will help in Lavin’s zone and full court pressure.

#63 D’Angelo Harrison
(Photo: Scout.com)
The Dulles HS (TX) guard averaged 31 points per contest this past season as a senior. He is touted as a scoring machine and, though many focus on his terrific outside shooting touch, Harrison is fearless in going to the rim and finishing at the basket. With Dwight Hardy graduating, Harrison will come in looking to be the long-range touch that St. John’s needs.

#76 Norvel Pelle
(Photo: WordPress)
This 6’10” center and his seven-foot wingspan will cause trouble for opponents both offensively and defensively. Pelle, who says he wants to be like current NBA stars Kevin Durant and Kevin Garnett, has the ability to get off the floor quicker than most anyone else on the court, which helps him block shots and rebound. Coming in, Pelle will compete with Erie Community College transfer God’s Gift Achiuwa at the center position, and could possibly see time at power forward.

#97 Amir Garrett
(Photo: ESPN)
In terms of mold and prototypical build at his position, the Findley Prep (NV) swingman is the best fit for a Coach Lavin-style game, heading into next season. The lefty can hit the outside shot, but can also attack the basket and play above the rim. On defense, he uses his athleticism to get into the passing lanes and can get up to block a shot, from time to time.

Update: MoMo Jones to Transfer to Iona

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Update June 8th, 2011,1:15

According to Adam Zagoria of SNY, former Arizona point guard, Lamont “Momo” Jones will transfer to Iona.

“I look forward to going to the Gaels and pursuing my dreams of getting my degree and basketball career. My decision was basically solely on being close to my family and still having an opportunity to showcase my skills.” Jones told Zagoria through his advisor,Dermon Player.

Previous reports indicated that Jones would be headed to St. John’s, but due to NCAA rules, Jones couldn’t commit to the Red Storm. Moe Hicks, St. John’s current Director of Basketball Operations, coached Jones’ at Rice High School during his time with that famed program.

Update May 24th, 2011, 10:30
For Momo to enroll, another Moe would have to exit, that “Moe” being one of Steve Lavin’s prized assistant coaches, Moe Hicks.

According to Adam Zagoria of SNY, an NCAA ruling states that a player cannot be sign with a school if that school has a staff member who, in the past two years, coached the recruit elsewhere.

Moe Hicks was Jones’ coach at Rice High School for two years before Jones made his move to Oak Hill Academy for his senior year of high school.

Jones decommitted from Arizona two weeks ago, stating he wanted to return to the East coast and was trying to get a wavier to allow him to play this upcoming season due to an illness in his family.

Jones’ wavier can still be granted, but, if he is to play at St. John’s, he will have to play a season elsewhere, such as a junior college. This would let a year pass, before being able to enter St. John’s. But, if Moe Hicks decides to part and coach elsewhere and Jones’ waiver passes, he could play immediately.

Check back to Johnny Jungle for information on this developing story.

Update May 20th, 2011, 12:02pm

According to Roger Rubin of the Daily News, Lamont “Momo” Jones to St. John’s is not yet a done deal.

Citing a source, Rubin says the Red Storm staff is “weighing whether Jones…would be a good fit with the program” and is “seeking guidance” in the process from former St. John’s and Seton Hall assistant Dermon Player.

Recruiting is currently in the so-called “dead period”, where contact between schools and players cannot occur, which lasts until Memorial Day weekend. According to Player and Rubin, UConn, St. John’s, Iona, and Seton Hall have been granted permission to speak to Jones, with Maryland and Boston College deciding whether to jump into the mix.

Original story posted May 19, 2011, 5:54pm

Lamont “MoMo” Jones, a rising junior transfer from Arizona, will announce he is joining the Red Storm, according to Lenn Robbins of the New York Post.

Jones will join a backcourt already full of talented incoming guards, along with rising junior Malik Stith. (Photo: Icon/SMI Select)
The Harlem native averaged nearly 10 points and just over 2 assists per game for the Wildcats last season as the team’s starting point guard.

“I would like to thank my coaches, my teammates and all of the U of A fans for making my two years at Arizona very special,” Jones said in the school’s press release after his transfer. “After much thought, I have decided to pursue my goals at a school closer to home. My desire to be closer to my family, and in particular my grandmother, is the reason I am transferring.”

With this expressed interest to return to the East coast, Jones was considering schools like Villanova, UConn and Seton Hall before choosing St. John’s. Jones has strong ties to the Red Storm, as St. John’s Director of Basketball Operations Moe Hicks coached him during his tenure at Rice High School (NY).

Jones’ Wildcats made their way to the Elite Eight last season, knocking off defending champion Duke in the Sweet Sixteen.

After transferring, Jones made it clear that the reason for his departure was his desire to return East. This move clears the way for highly-ranked incoming freshman point guard Josiah Turner of Quality Education Academy, who would likely have taken a cut of Jones’ minutes, had he stayed.

Standing 6′ tall, Jones brings two years of experience and leadership to St. John’s backcourt. He will join Phil Greene and Malik Stith as the two other true point guards on the roster, along with Nurideen Lindsey, a combo guard transfer from Redlands Community College.

Multiple sources said Jones was seeking a waiver to play immediately, citing the health of his grandmother as the main reason for his transfer.

This is a developing story. More details will be added as they come in to JohnnyJungle.com. Contributions from Daniel Martin.

Norvel Pelle Brings His Hollywood Talent to St. John’s

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From the City of Angels hails another shining star who is making his way to the bright lights of New York City.

Norvel Pelle of Price High School (CA) joins Amir Garrett and Dwayne Polee II as the third recruit from the Golden State to come to Queens in Steve Lavin’s one full year with St. John’s.

Pelle will be part of an athletic frontcourt for the Red Storm next season. (Photo: MaxPreps)
Pelle began his high school career at Dominguez (CA), famous for alumni like Dallas Mavericks’ center Tyson Chandler and Milwaukee Bucks’ Brandon Jennings, before transferring to Price. The 6’10” Pelle is bringing his long, lanky frame to the Red Storm, a team for which he believes the sky is the limit.

“I picked [St. John’s] because I felt it would be a perfect situation,” said Pelle. “Having a whole new team and a new coaching staff, we would have a chance to rebuild St. John’s.”

Coach Steve Lavin brought nine inherited seniors to the NCAA Tournament this past season, but his most daunting task will come in the fall, when he brings in nine new commits, seven of whom have no college experience.

With all of this youth, where will St. John’s find a leader? Pelle says he is a guy Lavin feels can lead by example next year, and throughout his time at St. John’s.

“We just talked about how we have to take stepping stones to reach success. It doesn’t come knocking on your door all the time,” said Pelle.

Though he is being ranked as a top prospect in the country, Pelle said he sometimes felt out of place with all of the media exposure during his time in high school.

“At times, it’s overwhelming. But, to be successful, you have to be able to be outside your comfort zone,” he said. “The media puts you out of your comfort zone, but I got used to it and enjoyed seeing the different opinions from others.”

And those critiques were not always positive.

Many analysts and experts have scrutinized his game, saying he is lackadaisical and lacks fundamental development. Pelle said he doesn’t take the criticism as something bad and, instead, uses it as motivation.

“People can only talk and a lot of them haven’t had a conversation with me. There is going to be something made up to make me look bad and there are going to be positive things said to make me look good,” said the Los Angeles native. “I’m just using all the negative as a motivation to prove the haters wrong.”

Pelle, who brings a 7-foot wing span to go along with his 6’10” frame, is very similar in size to that of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant. Durant is one of two players Pelle says he models his game after, along with Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett.

“Kevin Garnett has the mentality of a beast that no one has and Kevin Durant is 6’10” playing the wing. You bring those two players together, you have an unreal player,” said Pelle.

With Pelle’s size and length, he brings athleticism down on the block on both ends of the floor. He also has a soft touch around the basket and a keen sense of timing on defense. Because of that, he fits well into Coach Lavin’s athletic, swarming defensive sets and high-pace, fast break offense.

When Pelle isn’t in the gym working on his game or doing interviews, he’s just being a regular kid. He is getting ready to graduate from high school and head to college in a few months time, listening to music, hanging with friends, and dreaming of taking famous Hollywood stars on dates.

“There is so much,” said Pelle on deciding who he would go on a date with, before ultimately deciding to take either Kim Kardashian or New York’s own Nicki Minaj.

When he has downtime, Norvel also likes listening to his iPod, which features a heavy rotation of Lil’ Wayne, Tyga, Big Sean and Trey Songz.

He has also expressed an interest in drawing, which is ironic because it was one of the classes he said he wasn’t looking forward to coming to college.

“Be prepared to go all the way, because we have a mission and a goal to reach.”-Norvel Pelle

The kid from the warm West in California is looking to make a home in the frigid East of New York City. Though the temperature outside may drop to below zero at some points during the season, Pelle should feel a sense of warmth from the St. John’s fans, for whom he has a message.

“Be prepared to go all the way, because we have a mission and a goal to reach,” he said confidently. That same sentiment has been echoed by his future teammates D’Angelo Harrison and Amir Garrett, who both guaranteed runs deep into the NCAA Tournament in 2011-2012.

Pelle has promised to bring excitement and entertainment to Queens next year and, being that he is from Hollywood, it would be crazy to expect anything less.

Freshman Advice: How to Become Kings of Queens

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For a kid that has played basketball all his life, few things are more life-changing for a player than the first year of college basketball.

This upcoming season, seven freshmen will enter the college ranks, not knowing what to expect. Nurideen Lindsey and God’s Gift Achiuwa have both played at the junior college level, but, even for them, this will be a big change.

Polee, though only a sophomore, is now a veteran on this freshman-laden squad. (Photo: Icon/SMI)
After spending four years in New York, the country’s largest sports market, graduating senior Paris Horne said these nine student-athletes will have to learn how to stay in a confident mindset.

“The mental aspect of the game is important. The Big East is a battle night in and night out. From the first place team to the last place team,” Horne said.

With teams like Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Notre Dame and UConn always bringing in top-tier talent, the new members of this St. John’s basketball team will have to step into the gym and hit the weights, adding muscle, to compete against the size and physicality that the conference brings every night.

“The Big East is a lot stronger and faster, so getting conditioned and having a strong work ethic is important,” said rising sophomore Dwayne Polee II , who said this past year that he struggled, at times, with his lack of bulkiness against larger opponents. As the season progressed, Polee added weight to be able to fight down low with big players like Gary McGhee, Rick Jackson and Carleton Scott.

Polee will have a big role in helping to shape the younger talent coming in, alongside Malik Stith, who will be entering his junior season with the Red Storm.

As the only player on the roster with two years of Division I experience, Stith understand the importance of off-season workouts and how crucial they will be for these first-year players.

“Coming into this summer off-season, it’s going to be tough. This past off-season was probably one of the hardest,” Stith, the Hempstead native, said.

With Polee most likely helping to groom athletic front court players like Maurice Harkless, Norvel Pelle, Sir’Dom Pointer, Amir Garrett, and Jakarr Sampson, Stith will be in the back court showing D’Angelo Harrison and Phil Greene the playbook.

Polee and Horne both said that asking questions during practice was vital to gaining knowledge of the system. The coaching staff is filled with sharp minds like Mike Dunlap, Rico Hines and Tony Chiles, who all know a thing or two when it comes to the college game. Picking their brain will be key for the new Red Storm players.

Malik Stith will be the only player on the roster with two years of Division I experience. (Photo: Icon/SMI Select)
It won’t be an easy task for these nine fresh faces, as they take the court in Queens, but they have already been given the nod of confidence from Sports Information Director, Mark Fratto.

“Having met each one of our incoming men’s basketball student-athletes, I believe that our fans are really going to embrace this class,” said Fratto. “Each are obviously superior athletes and talented basketball players, but beyond that, all of the new Johnnies are intelligent individuals with outstanding, dynamic personalities. I’ve been impressed with how well-spoken they all are, and I think St. John’s and NYC will love them as much as they will love NYC and St. John’s.”

“The 2011-12 recruiting class will comprise the foundation of the St. John’s program moving forward,” said Lavin. “The arrival of this group, along with a returning starter in Dwayne Polee II and junior guard Malik Stith, will carry the Johnnies into the future.”

The talent is there and the support is clearly behind them, now all that is left to be seen is if this new St. John’s Red Storm basketball team can collectively become the Kings of Queens.