St. John’s Basketball: Addition of Mustapha Heron gives Red Storm hope for 2018-19
St. John’s Basketball needed to find another quality guard. With the surprise addition of a leading scorer from the SEC, things are looking up for the Red Storm.
Another year, another bottom of the barrel finish in the Big East this past season for St. John’s. The Red Storm finished under .500 for the season and tied with DePaul for last in the conference standings.
A huge part of that was due to the season-ending injury of star guard Marcus LoVett, who averaged nearly 15 ppg before going down. And with him going pro, St. John’s was in desperate need of a perimeter player who can put the ball in the bucket.
Good news did come earlier this week, with the announcement of leading scorer Shamorie Ponds returning to the team for his junior season. He was one of the best players in the Big East this past year, scoring over 21 ppg. But there needs to be more if St. John’s plans on competing near the top of the Big East.
Enter Mustapha Heron of Auburn.
Auburn transfer Mustapha Heron is headed to St. John's, he tells me. Will begin summer classes Monday. Believes he will get hardship waiver to play right away. “With the pieces we have, we definitely can be special." #sjubb
— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) May 31, 2018
He originally was in the 2018 NBA Draft, before pulling out near the deadline to withdraw. But instead of going back to the Tigers, the First-Team All-SEC shooting guard will be going close to home. His mother has been dealing with health issues as of late, and he wants to be closer to home.
As of now, Heron would have to sit out a year due to NCAA transfer rules. However, he’s currently requesting a hardship waiver, which would allow him to play immediately. Those tend to be 50/50 decisions by the governing body as to how it works out.
If the former Auburn guard can play, he would essentially replace LoVett’s production on the offensive end, while being an upgrade as a defender. The 6’5 guard averaged 16.4 ppg and 5.3 rpg in less than 30 mpg on a Tigers team that won 26 games a year ago.
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Even if he can’t go, St John’s would at least be guaranteed a quality guard for the 2019-20, assuming Ponds leaves for the NBA. This is an unexpected pickup for the Red Storm, but one that could very well turn the program’s fortunes around.