St. John's coach Norm Roberts likes athletic players who can play multiple positions. His team is loaded with them. And now he's bringing another on board.
The Red Storm got a signed national letter of intent Thursday from Ron Roberts, a 6-7 senior from Bayonne, N.J., now enrolled at Jersey City St. Peter's Prep. He chose the Johnnies over Saint Joseph's, the other school that's been heavily involved with him long term. In recent months a handful of elite programs have tried to make inroads with him, most notably Indiana.
Ron Roberts is a late bloomer who has played only one full season at St. Peter's Prep and averaged 17.4 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots. He primarily played in the low post. In the off-season with the N.J. Playaz club team he usually plays on the wing and faces the basket.
"This kid has played 26 varsity basketball games in his life. He didn't play a minute of varsity basketball at Bayonne (High) before he transferred," St. Peter's Prep coach Mike Kelly said. "It's a meteoric rise in terms of his ability. In 14 months it's a complete transformation. It's because he works his butt off every day.
"If the trend of maturing continues, he has a shot to be a pro. He's already got the sizzle. He just needs the steak and potatoes. It's a coup for St. John's."
"Ronald will be a great addition to our program," Norm Roberts said. "He is an outstanding young man who will give us versatility at the power forward and small forward positions. Ron has a great upside."
Kelly thought Ron Roberts was a lock to go to Saint Joseph's, which has sent three players to the NBA over the past eight seasons. He was stunned at how the player reacted to Norm Roberts.
"I didn't think it could happen, but he blew the kid away," Kelly said. "He fell in love with the idea of playing in the Big East. He was signed, sealed and delivered as soon as he went there."
St. John's (2-0), which meets Brown (1-2) Friday at 7 at Carnesecca Arena in a first-round game of the Philly Hoop Group Classic, has only one scholarship senior in Anthony Mason Jr. and this could be its only recruit of the year. In recent seasons, some players have opted to transfer in the spring so the Johnnies' staff will continue to recruit.
Kelly said that Ron Roberts has increased his weight training to prepare himself for the physical play in the Big East. "He wants to play minutes next season," he said.
Ron Roberts has not yet completed the NCAA-mandated requirements for freshman participation. Kelly said his grade-point average has him in good academic standing at the school, but that he won't take the college boards for the first time until next month.
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