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In a season full of team achievements, the individual honors are beginning to roll in for the Red Storm.
Senior guard Dwight Hardy has been named to the All-Big East First Team, becoming the first St. John’s player to be named to the team since former Red Storm big man Lamont Hamilton in 2007.
“It’s a real honor to be named to the All-BIG EAST First Team. Obviously some of the best players all-time at St. John’s, in the league, and in the NCAA are in that company, and I’m very fortunate to join them,” Hardy said. “I want to share this award with my teammates, because you don’t get awards like this without being on a great team.”
Along with Hardy, Notre Dame’s Ben Hansbrough, Connecticut’s Kemba Walker, Georgetown’s Austin Freeman, Providence’s Marshon Brooks, and Pittsburgh’s Ashton Gibbs received the honor.
Hardy, a Bronx native, contributed off the bench last season for the Red Storm before bursting onto the national scene this year, averaging nearly 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in the regular season.
Since Coach Steve Lavin made the move to play Hardy predominantly at point guard, the 6’2″ guard has flourished, scoring over 20 points in 13 games this year. He has also set a career high in scoring four separate times, including 33 points in a win over #9 UConn, and 34 in an important road win over #14 Villanova on February 26th.
There has been no shortage of heroics, either.
Hardy hit a tough reverse lay-up with under a minute to go against Georgetown on January 3rd to help the Johnnies to their first marquee win of the year. Then, against #4 Pittsburgh at Madison Square Garden, he performed the most famous pirouette in the history of St. John’s basketball, dancing the baseline and hitting a layup with 1.2 seconds to give the Red Storm the victory.
“Dwight Hardy is as deserving of the All-BIG EAST Conference recognition as any player I’ve coached,” said coach Steve Lavin. “The dominating performance and leadership Dwight has provided over the course of his senior year has been a catalyst in St. John’s successful season.”
With the Big East Player of the Year award will be announced Tuesday and Hardy remains in the running, though latest updates show Providence’s Marshon Brooks in the lead.
St. John’s is back in action Wednesday at 2pm, as they take on the winner of Seton Hall/Rutgers in the second round of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden.