St. John’s Prospects Tip Off at iS8 in Queens

The iS8 playoffs tip off this weekend and the schedule is full of incoming and possible future St. John’s talent. The playoffs will take place at 108-35, 167th Street, Jamaica, NY. This will be fans’ first chance to see future members of the Red Storm before they step under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden.

Moe Harkless

Harkless, who won the Most Outstanding Player for the East squad at the 2011 All-American Championship in Houston, comes into this tournament with quite a bit of intrigue surrounding him. His name has been abuzz since he committed to St. John’s in late August, and the more fans see of his game, the more they like it. He is smooth in the half-court and in transition and already has a polished mid-range game.

He will play alongside his future teammate at St. John’s, Jakarr Sampson, on Saturday at 4:30pm. If they win, their next game would be on Sunday at 12:30pm.

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Jakarr Sampson

As was mentioned above, Sampson will be playing alongside Harkless this weekend with their team, Real Scout. So far, the team is 4-0 in pool play this Spring and it will be interesting to see how the two play together, as they could both be part of the starting frontcourt in Queens next season.

Rumors floated around that Sampson would be ruled academically ineligible coming out of Brewster Academy (NH), but those have been proven false. With those rumblings now behind him, Sampson has continued to develop as a player, leading SNY’s Jon Rothstein to praise him as a long, athletic forward who could be a force next year for the Red Storm.

Once again, he and Harkless play for Real Scout on Saturday at 4:30pm and, if they win, at 12:30pm on Sunday.

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Sir’Dom Pointer

Pointer has been the most impressive in his development over the past year, especially since signing his National Letter of Intent in November. He has shot up ESPNU’s recruiting rankings for the Class of 2011, settling in at #24. Before the season began, he was rated in the mid-60s and, stretching back to this time last year, was thought to be a mid-major recruit. He has flourished at Quality Education Academy, becoming a powerful, true small forward with impressive defensive instincts and a developing game on the offensive end.

Pointer will play for Sean Bell All-Stars, alongside Louisville-bound Angel Nunez and Pittsburgh-bound big man Khem Birch, on Saturday at 5:45pm and, with at victory, on Sunday at 2:00pm.

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Jevon Thomas

One player to keep an eye on, who has already committed to the Red Storm for the Class of 2012, is New York City product, point guard Jevon Thomas. Playing his high school ball at Our Savior New American, Thomas has stood out as an incredibly quick playmaker and difference-maker on both ends of the floor. Though he is only 5’11”, 170 pounds, he gets to the basket and finishes with consistency. If his commitment is solid and he signs with the Red Storm in the fall, he will be Lavin’s second major New York prospect who has been persuaded to stay in the city.

Thomas with play with Juice on Friday night at 7pm and, with a victory, on Saturday at 10:15am.

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Amir Garrett

The 6’6” swingman from Findlay Prep flew into New York on Thursday night and has been active on his Twitter account with excitement about being in the city. Based purely on athleticism and jumping ability, Garrett is possibly the most exciting incoming player in this class. He has become a YouTube sensation with his highlight reel dunks, including winning the Ball Is Life Slam Dunk Contest earlier this year with a number of jaw-dropping throwdowns.

He has slipped toward the bottom of ESPNU’s Top 100 for the Class of 2011, but, rankings aside, St. John’s is still getting a prospect with a ton of upside, especially under the tutelage of Steve Lavin. From Day 1, Garrett will bring athleticism and an unrelenting motor to Lavin’s full-court press and matchup zone, which will create a lot of problems for opposing teams.

Garrett will take the court with the New York Panthers on Saturday at 9am at the Variety Boys & Girls Club (2112 30th Road, Queens, [30th Road, between 21st and 23rd Streets]). If they win, they will play at the iS8 gym in Jamaica (108-35, 167th Street) at 12:45pm.