St. John’s Recruiting Targets In ESPN, Scout Top 100 for Class of 2012: Part I

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.