Dwight Hardy

Italy Says Buon Giorno To Hardy

July 28, 2011 by Jaden Daly Leave a Comment

The miracle run put together by St. John’s University and its ten recently-graduated seniors has continued to resonate far away from the corner of Union and Utopia.

Yet another integral part of the Johnnies’ return to the NCAA Tournament, after a nine-year hiatus, has become the latest Red Storm player to trade in his red and white for a professional uniform.

Dwight Hardy, Jason Clark — Hardy was a integral part of the success the Red Storm had last season, bringing them to their first NCAA Tournament in nearly a decade. (Photo: Zimbio)

Just several days after Paris Horne became the first from last year’s graduating class to turn pro when he took his talents to Germany, Dwight Hardy has joined his backcourt partner in the professional ranks.

The Bronx native signed earlier this week with Pistoia Basket, an Italian club located just outside the city of Florence, making the decision with factors other than his own success in mind.

“The first thing I want to do is get my mom out of the projects,” said Hardy, whose mother still calls the South Bronx home. “That’s all I think about when I’m working out or doing anything with basketball, just provide a better life for my family.”

Hardy won the Big East’s Most Improved Player award this past season while, leading the Red Storm (21-12 in 2010-11) in scoring, with 18.3 points per game. He was also considered a Player of the Year candidate in the conference, which eventually went to Notre Dame’s Ben Hansbrough. Hardy posted fourteen 20-point games last season, including four games in which he eclipsed the 30-point mark.

Scouting St. John’s: Are Dwight Hardy and Sean Evans ready for the NBA?

June 16, 2011 by Daniel Martin 1 Comment

In the lead-up to the NBA Draft, JohnnyJungle.com continues to look at the graduating St. John’s seniors and how they could fare at the professional level. Today, Dwight Hardy and Sean Evans.

Dwight Hardy

Hardy was the national face of the revitalized and reenergized program in 2010-2011. Beginning with his dominant performance against Georgetown to kick off Big East play, the ball kept rolling from there. The Bronx native ended up averaging just over 18 points per game and was named to the All-Big East First Team.

Now post-graduation, the next phase of his basketball career begins.

Hardy recently returned from Europe, where he worked out for teams in France. Also, Adam Zagoria of SNY is reporting that Hardy will be working out for the New Jersey Nets on Monday.

During his college career, Hardy was a pure scorer, both during his time at Indian Hills and at St. John’s. The key to his game, especially during his senior season with the Red Storm, was his ability to score in any number of ways. His dribble penetration was his biggest strength, getting to the rim, especially in the clutch.

Head coach Steve Lavin compared Hardy to Miami Heat guard Eddie House at the beginning of the season, and that is the role he could play in the NBA. Off the bench, he could be a 3pt shooting sparkplug that can put up points in a hurry. Questions still remain about his capacity to be a true, distributing point guard, which is why he may need a few seasons to develop his game overseas before making his way to the NBA.

NCAA BASKETBALL: FEB 05 St. John's at UCLA — (Photo: Icon/SMI Select)

Sean Evans

If there was one thing Sean Evans did relentlessly in his time with the Red Storm, it was offensive rebound.

Much like fellow St. John’s graduate Justin Burrell, Evans 6’8, 259 lb. frame is something NBA teams would covet.

He was inconsistent on the offensive end in his time at St. John’s, but had flashes of strong work in the post. He is also working to harness the physical gifts that he already has. This past season showed another part of Evans: his hard work.

Early in the year, he was seeing very little time on the floor, playing less than 5 minutes in six of the first eleven games. Lavin stressed that each practice was a chance for players to fight for time, and Evans did just that. Down the stretch, he was an integral part of the Red Storm rotation and chalked up a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds in the Big East Tournament.

Recently, he has been working out independently on the West Coast, including workouts with fellow Philadelphia natives Marcus and Markieff Morris.

Projections show Evans, too, will not get drafted, but his size could be an asset to him as he looks for pro teams in perhaps Europe, or elsewhere. As he continues to work on finishing around the rim, he could be a contributing big man at the professional level.

Hardy named AP Honorable Mention, Burrell in dunk contest

March 29, 2011 by Daniel Martin Leave a Comment

In a season that already included three Big East Player of the Week awards and a spot on the All-Big East First Team, senior guard Dwight Hardy has added another impressive accolade to his resume.

hardyburrell — Hardy and Burrell will make the trip to Houston to compete in the 3-Point and Dunk contests, respectively. (photo: flickr.com)

The 6’2” Bronx native has been named an Honorable Mention AP All-American, the national media panel announced Monday night. He becomes the first St. John’s player to be named an AP All-American since Erick Barkley received the same honor in 1999-2000.

Hardy’s team-leading 18.3 points per game ranked fourth in the Big East, increasing his production after Coach Steve Lavin’s early-season decision to move the senior from shooting guard to point guard.

“Point guard gives me a better chance to shoot off the dribble,” Hardy said of transitioning to a relatively unfamiliar position. “[The coaches] want[ed] me to be aggressive at all times.”

And though the Johnnies’ NCAA Tournament run ended with a loss to Gonzaga, Hardy will still make a trip to the Final Four in Houston, as he was selected to compete in the State Farm College 3-Point Championships on March 31st. He will be traveling with teammate Justin Burrell, who was selected to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest.

Hardy shot 35% from long range on the year, averaging nearly two 3-pointers per game. In his two-year career at St. John’s, he shot nearly 37% from 3-point range. He will also take part in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-Star Game on April 1st in Houston.

Competing alongside Hardy will be LaceDarius Dunn of Baylor, Andrew Goudelock of College of Charleston, Ravern Johnson of Mississippi State, Mickey McConnell of Saint Mary’s, Kansas Jayhawk Brady Morningstar, Kansas State’s Jacob Pullen and Mississippi’s Chris Warren.

Burrell, known as a strong, powerful dunker, will compete in the Slam Dunk Contest after receiving the Big East Sixth Man Award earlier this season. He averaged 6.3 points and 4.9 rebounds off the bench for the Red Storm in 2010-2011.

The dunk competition will also include Pittsburgh’s Gilbert Brown, Will Coleman of Memphis, East Tennessee State’s Justin Tubbs, Illinois College’s Jacob Tucker, San Diego State Aztec Billy White, Darnell Wilks of Cincinatti, and UNC Asheville’s John Williams.

The festivities will air on March 31^st at 9pm ET on ESPN2.

Big East Honors Burrell, Hardy

March 7, 2011 by Daniel Martin 1 Comment

One day after Dwight Hardy was named to the All-Big East First Team, the accolades continue to roll in for the Johnnies.

The Big East Conference honored Red Storm seniors Justin Burrell and Dwight Hardy on Monday, with Burrell receiving the Sixth Man Award, and Hardy being named the conference’s Most Improved Player.

Averaging 17.9 points per game, up from 10.5 in his junior season, Hardy has been the catalyst for the Johnnies all year, putting up scoring performances of 20 points or more 13 times and reaching the 30 point mark four times.

“With so many great players in the Big East, it is a privilege to be considered the ‘Most Improved Player,” Hardy said. “I spent many hours in the gym working on my game, and this award recognizes the progress I’ve made. My coaching staff and teammates really believe in me, and have helped to make me a better player.”

Burrell, who has returned to the hard-nosed style of play on display during his freshman season, has been a rebounding and defensive force off the bench for the Red Storm.

Averaging 6.6 points and 5 rebounds per game on the season, Burrell was key in St. John’s 80-68 victory over Marquette February 15^th, notching a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

He also had a big performance against #4 Pittsburgh, taking advantage when Pitt big man Gary McGhee was on the bench, tallying his second-best scoring game of the season with 15 points and 6 rebounds.

“This is really exciting, getting this award was one of the goals that Coach Lavin and I talked about from the beginning of the year,” said Burrell. “This could have never happened without my teammates and our unbelievable coaching staff. Coach Lav and Coach Dunlap have been with me from the beginning of the year, and they deserve the credit.”

As a team this week, following a loss to Seton Hall and a win over South Florida, the Red Storm fell from #15 in both polls to #17 in the AP Poll and #18 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches’ Poll.

In Joe Lunardi’s latest Bracketology, St. John’s is ranked as a #4 seed, slated to play a fellow metro-area team, Iona.

The Big East Tournament begins Tuesday and St. John’s will be watching, as they take on the winner of Seton Hall/Rutgers on Wednesday at 2pm.

Hardy Named to All-Big East First Team

March 6, 2011 by Daniel Martin Leave a Comment

Dave Krupinski of JohnnyJungle.com is the biggest fan of the big east. Check out the new naughty Volvo S60 as Volvo searches for the Biggest Fan.

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.

Dwight Hardy, John Shurna — Hardy has found his way into the national spotlight with a breakout senior season. (Photo: WordPress)

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 26^th.

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 3^rd 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.