NCAA Basketball: 20 teams who should target St. John’s transfer LJ Figueroa

Duke Blue Devils

Do the Blue Devils really need Figueroa to compete for an ACC and national title next season? Not necessarily. But the pattern of playing with a roster filled almost with underclassmen doesn’t provide the greatest results, with just two Final Four appearances in the last decade, despite having either the No. 1 or 2 recruiting class each offseason. They have the No. 3 class this time around, with four five-star prospects joining the team.

Duke already brought in a grad transfer in center Patrick Tape to provide depth in the frontcourt center position. They don’t have that issue in the backcourt, with Wendell Moore Jr. coming back for his sophomore season. But that leaves a lot of pressure on both Jeremy Roach and DJ Steward, a pair of talented freshmen who’ll have their ups and downs. If the team wanted to make a major move, adding Figueroa’s defense and shooting ability can take away any potential weaknesses that the Blue Devils may have with this incoming group.

Florida State Seminoles

Having played his high school ball in West Oaks, Florida schools could have Figueroa’s ear in the coming days. Florida is already set, while Miami just landed Andrew Garcia from Stony Brook. That leaves the Seminoles among the power conference programs (sorry UCF), who’re replacing leading scorers Devin Vassell and Trent Forest, along with freshman wing Patrick Williams.

Florida State does bring in a five-star commit of their own in Scottie Barnes, along with top-tier JUCO prospect Sardaar Calhoun. But they could use some “guaranteed” scoring production and the transfer in question fits the Seminoles well on the defensive end as well. He may not play 32+ minutes a game with 11-12 players getting consistent playing time but Figueroa would be on a contending squad with a sizeable role.