Nurideen Lindsey

Report: Nurideen Lindsey to Transfer at End of Semester

December 8, 2011 by Daniel Martin Leave a Comment

UPDATE December 8th, 2011, 5:34PM

According to CBSSports.com, Nurideen Lindsey already has a school in mind to which he will transfer, but would not reveal it.

“My intentions are to transfer to a Division-I school,” Lindsey told CBSSports.com. “I want to be a college basketball player.”

UPDATE December 8th, 2011, 4:36PM

St. John’s releases a statement, saying that Lindsey will transfer to another institution.

“This was a mutually agreed-upon decision that Nuri’s pursuit of other opportunities is in the best interest of all parties,” said Lavin, in the statement. “We appreciate Nuri’s contributions to our program. He is a basketball player with a bright future. Our basketball family supports Nuri as he moves in a new direction.”

And from Lindsey:

“I came to St. Johns for a couple of reasons. One was to be close to my mom, whose health has been up and down due to some past experiences. The second was to play for Coach Lav. In both instances it has not worked out how I envisioned. I think Coach Lav is an amazing coach, and person. He could have taught me so much,” said Lindsey.

UPDATE December 8th, 2011, 4:29PM

Nurideen Lindsey tweets that he will be transferring to another school and will not take steps toward a pro career, yet. A source close to the situation says that he is still exploring his options, when it comes to a professional career.

UPDATE December 8th, 2011, 3:49PM

Nurideen Lindsey will be leaving St. John’s, but not transfer to any other university. Instead, he will work toward the NBA.

Chad Ford of ESPN rates Lindsey as the seventh-best player at his position, were he to enter the 2012 NBA Draft, and the 42nd best prospect overall.

Original Story

According to Roger Rubin of the New York Daily News, sophomore point guard Nurideen Lindsey will transfer from St. John’s at the end of the semester.

Lindsey, who is averaging 11.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists this season for the Red Storm, has hit a rough patch of late, averaging over five turnovers per game in his last three contests and missing two key free throws at the end of St. John’s one-point loss to Texas A&M on November 18th.

While at Overbrook High School in Philadelphia, Lindsey challenged Wilt Chamberlain’s scoring record, before playing a season at Redlands Community College in Oklahoma.

He was the Red Storm’s most prominent scoring option during the first four games of the season, averaging nearly 17 points per game.

This is a developing story. Check back to JohnnyJungle.com for updates.

How Nurideen Lindsey’s 17 Second-Half Points Lifted St. John’s to Victory

November 8, 2011 by Daniel Martin 2 Comments

William & Mary head coach Tony Shaver took a seat in the post game press conference and summed up his team’s performance simply and succinctly.

“Good twenty minutes, bad twenty minutes,” he said.

After a sluggish first half, highlighted by a barrage of three-pointers from William & Mary and a hesitant Red Storm offense, St. John’s headed to the locker room, down 33-26.

And then something happened.

In the second half, the Red Storm turned up the defensive pressure, using a 22-5 run and 17 second-half points from sophomore Nurideen Lindsey to defeat William & Mary, 74-59, Monday night at Carnesecca Arena, as part of the 2K Sports Classic.

“I think when we were getting down, Coach [Dunlap] called a timeout and everybody looked angry,” said freshman guard D’Angelo Harrison, who had 14 points in the win. “Not more of nervous, more like “Let’s go!” The way St. John’s plays is [how St. John’s played] in the second half.”

After just two points on 1-5 shooting in the first half, Lindsey came out of the gate to score six points in the first four minutes of the second, finishing 7-for-7 from the floor in the half and ending with a team-high 19 points in the game.

Nuri Dunk — Nurideen Lindsay steals the cross court pass and goes up for an easy dunk to put the exclamation mark against St. Mary's (Dave Krupinski)

Where William & Mary was able to exploit holes in the Red Storm zone defense in the first half, freshman forward Sir’Dominic Pointer led a second-half St. John’s effort that forced 21 Tribe turnovers in the game.

“When Dom is out there, he plays so hard on defense and he’s a pest for anybody with the ball at the top of that press,” said freshman forward Moe Harkless, who finished with 17 points and eight rebounds. “Especially when we drop back into our zone and he’s just running around all crazy, he forces a lot of turnovers.”

By forcing turnovers and capitalizing on long run-outs on William & Mary misses, St. John’s athleticism in transition was too much for the Tribe.

After pulling the Red Storm to within three, 37-34, just over three minutes into the second half, another transition layup by Nurideen Lindsey, plus the foul and intense yell from the sophomore guard, sent Carnesecca Arena into an uproar and swung momentum into St. John’s favor, an advantage that they would not relinquish.

“That’s a play that I can make more than once,” said Lindsey of the layup. “The excitement after the play came from me starting off slow. It was a tough start for me offensively. That was a little excitement from finally loosening up and getting down to my game.”

Lindsey’s work as the catalyst in the second half underscores the stark contrast between the youthful struggles of the first twenty minutes and the dominating athleticism on display in the second.

Assistant coach Mike Dunlap assumed head coaching duties, continuing to fill in for head coach Steve Lavin.

“What Coach Dunlap does, is keep preaching that, together, we’re going to be a lot better than individuals,” said St. John’s special assistant Gene Keady. “I’ve got to give it to him…he did a tremendous job with his halftime talk and he didn’t yell or anything, unlike I would have.”

Head coach Steve Lavin made a return to practice on Tuesday, but a timetable for his return to full coaching duties remains uncertain.

The Red Storm return to the floor Wednesday to take on Lehigh at Carnesecca Arena.

Lavin Inks 5 And Attracts More Recruits

November 12, 2010 by David Berov 1 Comment

Head Coach Steve Lavin is doing wonders with the St. John’s program in his first 6 months on the job. It seems like almost every day there is more positive news coming out about the Red Storm. On Thursday, Lavin received his 5th national letter of intent of the class of 2011.

rec_e_pointer_200 — Dom Pointer at the Kevin Durant Skills Academy. The 6'5 swing will be the stopper for the Red Storm. (Kelly Kline)

Sir’Dominick Pointer is the fifth player to sign his national letter of intent, following Maurice Harkless, D’Angelo Harrison, JaKarr Sampson and Nurideen Lindsey all who committed on Wednesday.

“This class, which will become one of the largest signed in collegiate basketball, comprises the foundation of the St. John’s program moving forward,” said Lavin. “The arrival of the 2011-12 class, along with an elite returning talent in Dwayne Polee II, is the core group that will carry the Johnnies into the future.”

“I’m glad I got it out of the way,” says Sampson. “Now I can focus on school and basketball.”

For Sampson signing his national letter of intent was not only a big deal for him, but for his mother as well.

“There was weight on my shoulders all summer, calls were coming in every day,” said Sampson. “It had my mom all stressed out but now that it’s over with she finally has peace of mind.”

His new teammate Nurideen Lindsey is just as happy to sign on the dotted line.

“It feels great,” said an excited Lindsey when I asked him about officially signing his national letter of intent to St. John’s.

It’s been a long process for the Redlands Community College point guard, but certainly it is one that has paid off.

“I’m ready to finally get out there with the other great guys that are coming in with me,” said Lindsey. “Now I can spend more time in the gym because my decision is made.”

Moe Harkless is the guy that got the 2011 class started. Without him taking the leap of faith this class may not have taken the same course.

“Maurice is the best player in New York City,” said Lavin. “He is an excellent athlete, highly-skilled and versatile enough to contribute at multiple positions.”

Aside from the actual skills on the court Harkless possess, Lavin continues to let everyone know how important it is to keep kids from New York, playing basketball in New York.

“Maurice is going to be our ‘pied piper,” said coach Lavin. “His choice in coming to St. John’s will lead other elite local talent back to New York City’s college basketball program.”

Focusing back on Lindsey, he is the player in the shadows not being mentioned, but his play is going to change that.

On November 2nd against Ft. Scott, in his first game in over a year, Lindsey dropped 48 points. He followed that game with a 26 point, 7 assists, 7 steals, 5 rebounds performance against Labette, and on top of that, he poured in 33 points on Monday against South Plains College.

37205_163558213659287_100000153272902_552510_2450046_n — Nuri Lindsey might be the best player in the country no one is talking about. He will be suiting up the Red Storm in 2011 after playing a year at Red Lands Community College in Oklahoma. (Redlands CC Athletic Communications)

“I’m not into playing for spotlight, other peoples opinions, or anything in that nature,” said Lindsey. “I play for my team and my program.”

With everything he has been through, all this talk about recognition and hype go by the wayside, he is ready to let his play do the talking.

“When the time is right,” Lindsey said sternly, “I’ll shine for everybody that don’t know who I am.”

Everyone on the other hand knows about D’Angelo Harrison and Sir’ Dominic Pointer.

Harrison is coming all the way from Texas to be apart of the Red Storm, and he comes with high praise.

“D’Angelo is a dynamic combination guard. He is a prolific scorer and clearly one of the best shooters in the nation,” said Lavin.

Pointer is also hailing from a distance, bringing his talents down to the big apple from Michigan.

“In addition to a well-rounded offensive skill set, Dominic is a dynamic athlete who has demonstrated a propensity at the defensive end of the floor,” said Lavin. “We envision Dom growing into a role as a defensive stopper. It is refreshing to find a player at his young age that prides himself in defense like Dominic does.”

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better another domino falls in favor of the Red Storm.

Earlier today, 6’10 power forward from Prince High School in Long Beach, California, Norvel Pelle verbally committed to St. John’s on ESPNU.

“It feels like a home away from home,” said Pelle. “Coach Lavin is a very smart coach. I just loved the way he approached the situation. He was calm, and cool, He knew other schools wanted me and he gave me space and also made sure I knew they wanted me.”

One of Pelle’s potential new teammate, JaKarr Sampson is excited with the verbal and knows this makes St. John’s that much better.

“He is a real cool guy, he’s goofy like me,” said Sampson. “Norvel is a great shot blocker, athletic, he can jump out the gym, it’s just fun to play with those kind of players.”

Sampson said Pelle is the perfect fit and “it’s not just another big man, he doesn’t just stand there, he is crazy athletic and can run the floor.” Sampson confidently said that people better be ready, “we are going to hit the ground running.”

Pelle visited St. John’s last weekend and was in attendance for the 100-42 Red Storm exhibition win over Westmont. During the game the students in the jungle [student section] chanted “We want Pelle,” and apparently Pelle wanted St. John’s too.

The news of St. John’s success on the recruiting trail for 2011 is spreading like wild fire. Everyone is taking notice, even class of 2013, Christ the King PG, Isaiah Lewis.

“Yes, I’m really considering St. johns,” speaking about his budding interest after taking notice on twitter to their success on the recruiting trail. “I like what coach Lavin is doing right now. I’m going to take some visits up there to see how he practices and things like that, but they are on my radar for sure.”

Lewis said he plans on visiting the St. John’s campus sometime in the month of December.

The 2011 class for Steve Lavin gets exponentially better with the addition of a solid big man like Pelle.

How much better you may ask? Well at 4:30pm in New York, ESPN had St. John’s as the #7 class in 2011. As of 5:30pm they are now #3.

This recruiting class is already exuberating excitement and confidence as it nears completion. JaKarr Sampson is already looking into his crystal ball. “They are going to have to make room for us on Sports Center once they see a couple games.” You have to love the sound of that if you are a Red Storm fan.

The season kicks off for coach Lavin and his Red Storm on Tuesday, November 16th as St. John’s travels to Moraga, California to take on the St. Mary’s Gaels. Be sure to check out JohnnyJungle.com for Calm Before the Storm the must read column before every St. John’s basketball game providing in depth analysis on the Red Storm and their opponent.

Lindsey Commits to St. John’s

October 19, 2010 by David Berov 4 Comments

When I first spoke with Redlands Community College PG Nurideen Lindsey over a month ago, he was someone not many knew or remembered. Having to overcome the unbearable tragedy around the time he was supposed to go to college forced him to put basketball on the backburner. Years later, Lindsey has seemingly defied the odds set against him and decided to play for St. John’s.

“There were a lot of different reasons that made me choose St. John’s,” said Lindsey. “First and foremost just the class that’s coming in with me, I think is a great class to be included with, and the coaching staff is just a great staff.”

Too Easy (a nickname Lindsey earned in a showcase game after scoring all over Lance Stephenson) was considering seven school’s who all put scholarship offers on the table, along with St. John’s.

“I was considering Kansas, Oklahoma State, Auburn, Kentucky, USF, Georgia Tech, and Miami, but ultimately I felt St. John’s would be the best place for me.”

For a while the St. John’s fans were expecting an announcement from Lindsey that seemingly wasn’t coming. Sources told JohnnyJungle.com that he was on his way to Queens, I guess it just took a little longer then expected to come to fruition.

“I decided this morning that St. John’s would be great for me,” said Lindsey. “Kevin Durant, and Baron Davis gave me great advice about making the best decision for myself.”

One of the criticisms, not necessarily on Lindsey but more of his style of play is the fact that he is a combo guard. The word “true” point guard isn’t exactly how you should describe Lindsey, but he says that’s not something he or the fans should worry about.

“I’m not a “true” point guard, but I get the job done,” said a confident Lindsey. “I think me and D’Angelo [Harrison] in the backcourt is going to be something special.”

“I think me and D’Angelo [Harrison] in the backcourt is going to be something special.”

The fact that Lindsey isn’t confined to one exact position allows him to offer the Red Storm a ton of versatility, something head coach Steve Lavin has clearly been looking for in his recruits.

“I score the ball, but I can also run a team,” Lindsey said. “Being a true point guard is a learning and working process, and I think I’ll eventually get to that point.

And the biggest thing to take from the nonsense of being a “true” point guard from Lindsey’s perspective is this; “I love passing the ball just as much as scoring it, if not more,” said Too Easy.

Nuri was in attendance at the Red Storm’s Midnight Madness this past Friday but got there late due to missing his flight. Once he did get there, he loved what he saw and said that it had some effect in finalizing his decision.

“I thought it was great!” said Lindsey. “The support that the people came out and showed was unbelievable.”

Lindsey is the fifth recruit on board the Steve Lavin ark for the class of 2011, and the third player to join in the last week.

Yesterday Dom Pointer committed to St. John’s, today was Nurideen Lindsey’s turn, the revolving door keeps on spinning for Steve Lavin and the Red Storm. At this rate the mentality for the St. John’s faithful has to be I wonder what goodies Lavin will bring us tomorrow.

Welcome to St. John’s Nurideen Lindsey.

St. John’s Getting On Point

September 29, 2010 by Dave Krupinski 2 Comments

l_f0189483cf004475968fbc143cfd3195 — Lindsey is ready to step out of the shadows again showing that he's ready to play on the big stage in the Big East

In the quest to restock the Red Storm with talent, Coach Steve Lavin and the staff have been working hard to find impact players for the 2011 season and beyond.

St. John’s has already been recognized by ESPN for having a top-15 recruiting class after receiving verbal commitments from Maurice Harkless and JaKarr Sampson … but there are 8 scholarships left to fill. Neither commitment is from a point guard; St. John’s fans are very concerned with who will man the position.

St. John’s fans will have to wait a few more days to hear that they have found their man. Junior college point guard Nurideen Lindsey is set to announce his commitment to St. John’s on Friday, according to a source close to Lindsey.

Lindsey is currently enrolled at Redlands Community College in Oklahoma after originally being a recruit in the 2009 class (committed then to LaSalle). He will enter 2011 with 3 years of eligibility left. Coach Tony Chiles has been keeping tabs on the Philadelphia player, and has unearthed a long and athletic 6’3 scoring lead guard for the recruiting class.

If you’re asking Who is Nurideen Lindsey? Check out David Berov’s interview with him last week.

Welcome to the Red Storm, Nuri.