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JaKarr Sampson Named Big East Rookie of the Week for Sixth Time

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Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

For the sixth time this season, freshman JaKarr Sampson of St. John’s has been named the Big East Rookie of the Week.

Sampson joins Erick Barkley as the only other member of the Red Storm to win the award on six separate occasions. He is four shy of Carmelo Anthony’s conference record of ten.

In the St. John’s win against UConn, Sampson scored 18 points while pulling down 6 rebounds. He eventually fouled out, but not before making his presence felt.

In the Red Storm’s game against Syracuse, Sampson was able to up his efficiency by shooting 71% from the field while dropping a game high 21 points. He also chipped in 2 steals and 6 rebounds.

Sampson will look to get St. John’s back in the win column as the team heads down to Louisville to face the #12 Cardinals.

JaKarr Sampson Named Big East Rookie Of The Week For Fourth Time

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Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

For the fourth time this season, JaKarr Sampson of the St. John’s Red Storm has been named the Big East Rookie of the Week.

Sampson had a team high 17 points in the St. John’s upset over #20 Notre Dame. He added 4 rebounds as well as 1 assist, steal, and block in the win over the Irish.

Against DePaul, Sampson chipped in 10 points and 5 rebounds. He played a strong defensive game committing zero fouls while pitching in a block as the Storm beat the Blue Demons.

Currently Sampson leads all Big East freshman in scoring and rebounding per game, averaging 13.6 points and 6.6 rebounds a night.

Last year, Moe Harkless won the award twice for St. John’s before going on to be named Big East Rookie of the Year. At this pace, the accolade could be a lock for Sampson.

Sampson will go for his fifth honor this week as the Red Storm head to New Jersey to face Rutgers, January 23 at the Louis Brown Athletic Center.

Future of St. John’s Shines at All-American Championship

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All roads converge in Houston.

And with all eyes focused on the NCAA Final Four, future college standouts descended upon Texas to showcase their skills in the first annual All-American Championship.

The Red Storm had a strong presence in Houston, featuring a combined four signees in the two all-star games.

Forward Sir’Dominic Pointer was the lone Johnny in the afternoon’s first game, tallying 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals in the South’s 93-91 overtime victory over the North.

The 6’6” swingman from Quality Education Academy (NC) is regarded by ESPN Recruiting Insider Dave Telep as “the most improved wing in [the Class of 2011]”. In the spring of 2010, he was projected to be a mid-major recruit, but a strong summer showing and impressive senior season at Quality Ed. has lifted him all the way to #34 on ESPNU’s Top 100 prospects of 2011.

Most impressive for Pointer in this All-American Championship was his defensive presence. Even in an offensively-based All-Star game, Pointer showed flashes of defensive brilliance, including locking down and picking the pocket of guard Ryan Boatright, a UConn signee, and diving on the floor for the loose ball.

On defensive prowess alone, Pointer could find himself in Steve Lavin’s starting lineup next season, bringing toughness and hustle to what will be an incredibly young roster.

(From left) Sampson, Harrison, Pointer, and Harkless gave St. John’s fans something to look forward to moving into next season. (Photo: Facebook)

But his offensive game is something of note, as well.

Pointer showed confidence driving to the basket in traffic with either hand, finishing a pretty dribble-drive through contact with the left hand in the third quarter and knocking down a free throw to convert the 3-point play. Also, his rise-and-fire three pointer in overtime helped the South to victory.

Maurice Harkless of South Kent (CT), Steve Lavin’s first commit from the Class of 2011, won Most Outstanding Player for the East, pouring in 15 points. With a balance of an inside game at the rim and the ability to knock down the jumper in the mid-range, Harkless showed the versatility that will translate to the college game next season.

His night was highlighted by an acrobatic dunk in the third quarter, when he took a pass off the backboard from Rutgers-bound point guard Myles Mack and threw it down for the slam.

D’Angelo Harrison, the 6’3” guard from Dulles High School (TX), put his highly-touted scoring ability on display early, with 8 points in the first three minutes of the game. He finished with 21 points to go with 6 rebounds.

Harrison showed his fearless knack for shooting the ball on the West’s first possession, launching a three from the right wing with a hand in his face and knocking it down. He was effective both off the dribble, getting to the basket, as well as from distance, which explains the 31 points per game he averaged this past season at Dulles.

The fourth recruit to participate in Houston, JaKarr Sampson of Brewster Academy (NH), added 10 points. He showed good dribbling and face-up skills in the post, which will create match-up problems for opposing defenses next season at St. John’s.

His most impressive play came on the defensive end, when he rejected UCLA-bound Norman Powell on a dunk attempt. Though called for a foul on the play, he appeared to get the clean block and showed his aggressiveness and willingness to lock down at the rim.

All four players give Johnnies fans a glimpse of the future, one that, next year, will be a very youthful and athletic bunch.

St. John’s is currently ranked as the second overall recruiting class by ESPNU, with nine overall commits, six of whom are in the ESPNU Top 100.

The Dom Of New York

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Steve Lavin strikes again.

Five days after D’Angelo Harrison committed to St. John’s, a fourth player has been added to an already impressive 2011 class. Quality Education Academy SF Dom Pointer, another ESPNU top 100 recruit has said yes to the Red Storm.

Dom Pointer at the Kevin Durant Skills Academy. The 6'5 swing will be the stopper for the Red Storm. (Kelly Kline)

Pointer is widely regarded as one of if not the best defender in the entire 2011 class, and is a player who prides himself on the defense he plays.

“I take [guarding the other teams best player] personally,” Pointer told ESPN’s Paul Biancardi. “I need it. I want it. I gotta’ have it.”

The 6’5, 200 lbs Pointer is a versatile forward that can handle the ball as well as play in the paint. Don’t be surprised if you see Pointer playing some point guard and or time at the 2 guard as all this fits his comfort zone.

“I liked the small classroom size and felt comfortable with the coaching staff and players,” said Pointer. “I also like the fact that coach Lavin has been so successful in the past (at UCLA).”

There was tons of speculation within the St. John’s fan base on whether or not Pointer would choose St. John’s. Pointer’s father, Tony Nolan made it very clear he wanted his son to play for the hometown Wolverines.

“My dad’s OK with it,” Pointer said to SNY’s Adam Zagoria. “He said he wanted me [to go to Michigan] but he was good with the decision I made. We’re all together on it.”

Pointer is the 21st ranked SF in the 2011 class according to Rivals. He joins the 12th ranked SF JaKarr Sampson, the 13th ranked SF Moe Harkless and 9th best SG in D’Angelo Harrison.

Although some may say the Lavin is loading up on players on the wings, this all seems like a mighty fine problem to have.

Following the commitment by Harrison last week, ESPN moved St. John’s to the #9 best 2011 class in the country. Today’s updated rankings with the Pointer addition, has the Red Storm ranked 5th.

The ark that Steve Lavin has been talking about building since he got to St. John’s is starting to fill up.

Still waiting in the wings are possible commitments from Amir Garrett, Norvel Pelle and an expected commitment from Nurideen Lindsey.

It’s scary how the 2011 class is starting to shape up for the Red Storm and with many more scholarships available, this is only the beginning.

Harrison Says St. John’s on ESPNU

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All black everything has been a phrase coined by hip-hop superstar Jay-Z and it’s become quite the fad in New York.

Steve Lavin scores again as Harrison will give the Red Storm a ton of swagger on offense. (Photo by Patric Schneider)
The number 44 prospect on the ESPNU 100 was dressed in all black, with a black and silver tie, maybe a sign of things to come? D’Angelo Harrison, a shooting guard from John Foster Dulles High in Texas was excited but also told ESPNU Recruiting Insider host Lowell Galindo that he was nervous about making his decision.

Harrison was down to four schools; Baylor, Oklahoma State, Marquette and St. Johns and made his choice on ESPNU at 5:25pm which can be viewed here.

“I’m going to take it all the way to New York and play for St. John’s,” Harrison said.

After Harrison verbally committed to coach Lavin and the Red Storm he put on a New York hat with a smile as big as the state of Texas.

“After speaking with coach Lavin and the staff, I feel it is a place where we will play a fast tempo yet be well coached,” said Harrison.

Listed as the #9 SG in the 2011 class by Rivals, Harrison is the first true shooting guard for St. John’s in 2011.

“Coach Lavin is a very straight up guy and he had a plan for how I would fit. Plus, he told me what I needed to hear and not what I wanted to hear,” said Harrison. “Coach Lavin was very successful at UCLA and has coached many players who [went on to play in the NBA]. His staff was also a big part of my decision with all of their NBA experience.”

Texas is over 1500 miles away from New York but that wasn’t an issue for this pure scorer. “Location really doesn’t matter to me,” Harrison said. “I want to go play for somewhere I can be one of the top guys on the team and I think that’s where I’m going to be able to play.”

Harrison joins an already stellar 2011 class, which features 6-8 JaKarr Sampson of Brewster (N.H.) Academy and 6-7 Maurice Harkless of South Kent. ESPN recruiting has already updated its rankings and St. John’s now is listed as having the 9th best class for 2011.

What’s next for St. John’s? Well JohnnyJungle.com’s very own Dave Krupinski has said that Nurideen Lindsey will choose St. John’s in the near future.

But that’s not all. October 15th is Midnight Madness for St. John’s, which will be host to a handful of potential future Red Storm players. Confirmed to be in attendance is Our Savior New American PG Jevon Thomas, Gill St. Bernard PG Jaron Sina, Nia Prep SG Kelvin Amayo, St. Raymond SG Nkeruwem Okoro and possibly others.

Coach Lavin isn’t finished on the recruiting trail yet though, with 7 scholarships still available for 2011. Dom Pointer, Norvel Pelle, Amir Garrett are all big name recruits who St. John’s is after.

The tide is turning in Queens and it seems like for the first time in far to long players are excited about the direction St. John’s is headed.