http://stjohns.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1124675Sampson's AAU coach Don Anderson, who spoke by telephone at LaGuardia Airport (Queens, N.Y.) en route to Brewster Academy (N.H.) with Sampson, said that Sampson chose the four squads because of "the coaching staff, the school side [and] the logistics of the school side . . ." Anderson added that Sampson was also looking for "the smaller environment, but a big experience."
"My mom and me really built a good relationship with the coaching staff and they seem like real cool guys," said Sampson. "It seemed like I could stay with them for four years. My mom really liked the coaching staff and we liked the small school, but big-time basketball."
"Lavin has put together unique recruitment to bring back St. John's basketball," noted Anderson.
"I've always liked St. John's back in the day - in the Walter Berry days," Anderson mentioned. "And, it's New York! What better place to revive a basketball program than New York."
"That's another reason why [St. John's was part of the four remaining schools on the list] - playing at Madison Square Garden," said Sampson. "That's one of the biggest arenas in the NBA. So, that's real big regarding the New York atmosphere and everything. So, I'm looking forward . . . you know."
"If I'd known we had this much time at the airport, I definitely would have went to St. John's," chuckled Anderson about the two-hour layover. "We would have went to St. John's today. We would have stopped off and reached out to Coach Lavin today."
As for Sampson making his final decision, Anderson admitted that he "has a feeling it's coming soon."
"I don't have a date," said Sampson. "I'm just going to take my time and make the right decision."