Hey Lance,
I’ve heard that you visited St. John’s campus and spoke to head coach Norm Roberts. Upon hearing this, many Red Storm fans and I have a glimmer of hope that you will attend St. John’s in the fall of 2009. Now I’m not a buffoon and I know you are considering schools with more recent basketball prestige like UCLA, Kansas, Memphis, Texas, Indiana, and Louisvlle, but after watching you play numerous games last year and watching your documentary, I really believe St. John’s is the school you should select.
One reason is that you will continue your legacy in New York City. Unlike those other schools mentioned, St. John’s has not made a NCAA Tournament since the 2001-2002 season. After the Mike Jarvis debacle, St. John’s has been down and out. Currently we have Norm Roberts attempting to rebuild the roster, but one thing missing from his recruiting is the star player. That star player can be you. You can be the guy who leads St. John’s, with the 9th most wins in NCAA history, back to the NCAA Tournament. You can be the guy, who unlike Felipe Lopez, lives up to the hype and makes Madison Square Garden alive again.
The second reason is the exposure. If you are indeed the guy who will lead us back to the tournament, you will be featured all over the media world. There is no other place to be than New York City when you’re winning. St. John’s used to sell out games as late as 1999, with Ron Artest and Erick Barkley. Just imagine, a packed Garden chanting your name, beating some of the Big East big boys like UCONN, Georgetown, or Syracuse. And trust me: this is not similar to O.J. Mayo going to USC. You cannot compare New York City to Los Angeles or the Big East to the Pac 10 when it comes to basketball.
The third main reason for attending St. John’s is that you will be able to do all of your magic in front of your family and friends. Your dad, mom, and little brother can all be in the stands for all your home games watching as you carry the Red Storm. It will be very easy to keep in contact with Lincoln head coach Tiny Morton and to keep tabs on the PSAL. College will be a much smoother adjustment for you – possibly even an easier one.
Now trust me, I know this is a tough decision, but with the above reasons in mind, I think St. John’s can really be the greatest school for you to choose. The team right now is not that bad; we are simply missing the centerpiece. Justin Burrell, who will be a sophomore next year, is our best player. With you on the court, he will be a very good #2 option. Malik Boothe (another sophomore – from Christ the King) is a lockdown defender; Rob Thomas (who I believe is our best player when fully healthy) should be 100% by the time you arrive, and D.J. Kennedy (who has proven to be capable of doing a little bit of everything) will compliment your game. When you arrive in two years, these players will be developed juniors who will be very solid role players. You can fill the void, a perfect place for you to step in. Also keep in mind, that other members of the 2009 class will see you commit and immediately want to go to St. John’s as well. This can grow into something big.
And just remember, the college you go to does not matter when it comes to the NBA draft. As long as you prove your worth as a teammate and player, you will be drafted in the lottery. The success of the program does not have much to do with the draft. Just look at Anthony Randolph from LSU, DeAndre Jordan from Texas A & M, JaVale McGee from Nevada, or even O.J. Mayo from USC. You are the key to your success, not the team you are with.
I wish you and your family the best of luck.
Sincerely,
Dylan