Just a few short weeks ago, Rutgers and Seton Hall were grabbing all the recruiting headlines in the metropolitan area and scarcely a peep could be heard from Queens.
Jonathan Mitchell, a 6-foot-7 Florida transfer from Mount Vernon, dismissed St. John’s as a landing spot because of the “uncertainty” surrounding the status of head coach Norm Roberts…and ultimately chose Rutgers over Seton Hall and Marshall.
What a difference a few weeks make.
This week alone, the Johnnies secured a commitment from 7-foot-1 Phil Wait of England; got a positive visit from 6-5 shooting guard Donald Williams, who may choose between St. John’s and Marquette; and got an unofficial from Lance “Born Ready” Stephenson of Brooklyn Lincoln.
The Johnnies previously secured commitments from guards Quincy Roberts and TyShwan Edmondson.
Perhaps most importantly, the St. John’s administration renewed Roberts’ five-year rollover contract, thereby assuring recruits that he would be around for the forseeable future.
All of this is good news for St. John’s fans and the Big East as a whole. In an ideal world, Rutgers, Seton Hall and St. John’s all become competitive in the league and beyond, sparking renewed interest in college hoops in the metro area.