ESPN and Scout.com released their new Top 100 rankings for the Class of 2012. JohnnyJungle.com takes a look at where some Red Storm targets checked in. Part II showcases three big men on Steve Lavin’s radar.

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Joel James
Dwyer (FL) | 6’10”, 260lb C | Fort Lauderdale, FL
ESPN: #58 Overall | Scout: #71 Overall

Jeff Borzello of CBSSports.com recently spoke to James, who detailed the current state of his recruiting. Among offers from Florida, Georgetown, Florida State, UCLA, and Maryland, the Red Storm have been in pursuit of the big man from The Sunshine State.

James is a true, bulky, collegiate-level center, compared to the more athletic forward/centers on the roster right now. He still has work to do to polish his post moves, but it seems he understands the power of his body and how he can use it to his advantage down low. But, despite his bulk, he can still get up and down the floor, which would be important, were he to be part of head coach Steve Lavin’s up-tempo, fastbreak style.

He is still not an elite defender, as he is still developing a knack for life on the low block. Ultimately, he is a physically large prospect who will continue to pick up interest, in part, because of that.

It will help his development along if he can trim some more weight, trading that for muscle. The more muscle he adds, the more potential he has both offensively and defensively in the paint.

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Chris Obekpa
Our Savior New American (NY) | 6’8″, 200lb | Centereach, NY
ESPN Overall: #93 | Scout Overall: NR, #24 at PF Position

Obekpa is not a true center, like the other two in this roundup. If the 6’8″, 200lb body type sounds familiar to St. John’s fans, it’s because it is. Red Storm signees Maurice Harkless, Jakarr Sampson, Norvel Pelle, and the now-San Diego State Aztec Dwayne Polee II are all somewhere close to that mold, so St. John’s interest in Obekpa confirms a poorly-hidden secret: Lavin has a “type” and that “type” is the athletic swingman.

ESPN’s Dave Telep highlighted Obekpa as an under-the-radar defensive prospect, thanks to his high-level athleticism. In Lavin’s high-pressue, up-tempo, full-court defense, players with a motor like Obekpa’s are valuable. He alters and blocks shots down low, as well, and has long arms to cover a lot of area.

His offensive game still needs work, but his effectiveness in the open court and his contributions on the defensive end would help him to crack the rotation, were he to sign with the Red Storm. If he were to take the court with three other players 6’6″+, it could make for one of the more athletic lineups in the country.

A number of Big East schools have offered Obekpa, including Cincinnati, UConn, Providence, and Seton Hall, along with Georgia Tech, Memphis, and others.

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Blaise Mbargorba
The Peddie School (NJ) | 7’0″, 230lb | Highstown, NJ
ESPN Overall: #100 | Scout: NR Overall, #27 Center

Mbargorba’s stock is one of the big-time risers during the live recruiting period. Back in the Spring, ESPN gave him an overall rating of 82 (usually indicating mid-major status), but he is now rated a 92 and sneaks into the Top 100 at #100.

Head coach Steve Lavin and assistant coach Rico Hines watched Mbargorba at Hoop Group’s Team Camp at Albright College during the early part of the live period. The Cameroon native did not disappoint in front of so many high-major coaches, showing his wide range of talents, working on the block, knocking down the mid-range jumper, and being a force on the defensive end. His impressively long arms allow him to block or alter most every shot around the rim, changing the overall dynamic of the game when he is on the floor.

Offensively, he is hard to confine because, in addition to his size, he can float out to the perimeter and knock down the open shot, pass with efficiency, and work a two-man gave off screens with the point guard. He has solid fundamentals when it comes to learning how to create space with his long, lanky frame, giving perimeter players a high point of entry when getting the ball into the post.

He must bulk up before heading to the collegiate level, but coaches will like his polished skills, to go along with his true 7’0″ size. Vanderbilt, Clemson, and West Virginia have offered him. St. John’s interest stays lukewarm at the moment, but the Red Storm could jump in if his stock continues to rise.

ESPN.com and Scout.com have released their updated rankings for the Class of 2012, following the July live period. JohnnyJungle.com takes a look at where recruiting targets landed on the two lists.

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Kyle Anderson
St. Anthony’s (NJ) | 6’9″, 215lb G/F | Fairview, NJ
ESPN: #6 Overall | Scout.com: # 5 Overall

Anderson is the highest-rated prospect that St. John’s has pursued in the Steve Lavin era and the #1 priority in the Class of 2012. He is one of the most unique players in the country, a 6’9″ point guard/forward who can create a match-up problem at four different positions.

Despite his slowed pace at both ends of the floor, something that has earned him the nickname “Slo-Mo,” he has learned how to be effective at that speed. He rarely turns the ball over and many defenders have to adjust to guarding a player who approaches the game in such a controlled, calculated manner.

His impressively long arms make him an asset in a zone defense, where he can cover a lot of space, blocking shots and tipping passes.

Two other Big East schools remain with St. John’s in Anderson’s Top 5, Seton Hall and Georgetown, along with UCLA and Florida. He says he will make his decision on September 20th, the date of his 18th birthday.

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Amile Jefferson
Friend’s Central (PA) | 6’7″, 180lb | Philadelphia, PA
ESPN: #25 Overall | Scout: #21 Overall

JohnnyJungle.com was the first to report that St. John’s is in the mix for this 6’7″ forward from Philadelphia.

Jefferson has slipped a few spots in the rankings in the past few months, but he is still regarded as one of the most versatile forwards in this class.

With his size and length, he has a similar build to current Red Storm forwards Maurice Harkless, Jakarr Sampson, and Norvel Pelle. This has been the type of player Steve Lavin has pursued and, so far, successfully signed, in his time with St. John’s.

Some have wondered how far his range stretches, moving out toward the perimeter, but one thing is undeniable: Jefferson is a smart basketball player. His high basketball IQ dictates when he takes the ball to the basket, works in the post, or pulls up in the mid-range. Much like Harkless and Sampson, Jefferson would fit well into Lavin’s zone and full-court press sets on defense.

Jefferson was recently quotes by VUHoops.com as saying, “NC State, Villanova, and St. John’s are recruiting me hard.”

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Ricardo Gathers
Riverside Academy (LA) | 6’7″, 240lb F | Laplace, LA
Verbal Commitment | ESPN: #31 Overall | Scout: #35

After Jevon Thomas’ decommitment in late July, Steve Lavin stood with no verbal commitments for 2012. But, less than a week later, man-child Ricardo Gathers pledged his name to the Red Storm.

With his size, Gathers is a force in the paint and a complement to wiry forwards like the above-mentioned Harkless, Sampson, and Pelle. He has broad shoulders and is a willing and able rebounder with the ability to step out into the mid-range, as well as work with his back to the basket.

What he may lack in height, he makes up for in bulk, which will allow him to move down to play the power forward position at the Big East level.

He chose St. John’s over a number of high-major schools, including LSU, Kansas, Arizona, Syracuse, and Texas.