Having seen SJU a lot this season, I really preferred Ejiofor as the MVP on the team. Like Luis, he prolly doesn't have an NBA career awaiting him (another undersized big) but he was a man among men on the offensive glass and showed a much-improved shot. The man can finish down low.
Endless motor... Kansas ****ed up letting him get away, because Pitino identified the talent immediately. I've watched him blossom. Last year he spelled Soriano (who was good in his own respect). But Zuby is on a completely different level. Everyone is happy to have hm back, and he may very well end up a St. John's legend - assuming we build on this year's success.
Truthfully, BE POY could have gone to Zuby or Kadary.
In the past few years, Pitino has identified and / or developed:
~ Dannis Jenkins ~ Iona ~ St. John's ~ NBA
~ Walter Clayton - Iona ~ Florida (St. John's was a close second, and had he followed Rick to Queens...)
~ Nelly Junior Joseph ~ Iona ~ New Mexico
~ RJ Luis ~ UMASS ~ Portal / NBA
~ Zuby ~ Kansas ~ St. John's
I believe we will be adding Joson Sanon to this list very soon.
* Peep that squad he had at Iona!!! Iona!!! A small Catholic School in New Rochelle, NY...
Clayton, Jenkins, and Joseph... They almost beat UCONN. Had they been in another bracket, they could have went to the Sweet Sixteen.
It's very clear, and should go without saying, that Pitino has a lot to do with RJ's respective development. I trust St. John's will be fine, and dare I say, even better moving forward.
