In the final moments of St. John's defeating Wagner on Wednesday night, as everyone sat in the tail end of the big win, Simeon Wilcher was trapped.
Freshman Jaden Glover stood at the free-throw line and Wilcher watched intently.
Wilcher celebrated from the sideline as Glover scored his first career college point.
“I've known him for a while. He was on my team in high school,” the sophomore said. “Just watching him get his first collegiate point was exciting for me, especially because I know how important it was to him.”
Second half of the game against the Fordham Rams at Carnesecca
Arena on November 4th. Wendell Cruz Iman Image
Wilcher knows exactly what Glover is going through as a highly touted rookie waiting for his time.
He experienced it himself last year, spending most of the season learning and watching rather than playing.
Now he's a starter and an important part of this St. John's team.
“Don’t rush to let him know, especially with a coach. [Rick Pitino]He has his way of coaching,” Wilcher said. “That's what we came here for. We came here to get better. Like last year, we were able to learn a lot. To stay confident, we have to work hard on the game. I make sure to tell him that it's important to keep going, and he does. He's doing great in practice every day.
“You never know when your number is going to get called. You might not be able to play two or three games and the third one might be called in the first five minutes. So you have to be prepared. ”
Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at St. John's University in Queens, New York. Robert Szabo of the New York Post
Nellie Jr. Joseph didn't have a chance to play at the Garden during his two years at Iona College, so Sunday will be the first time the New Mexico State forward will play against former coach Rick Pitino.
“Oh my god, I'm so excited. I can't wait to play against him,” Junior Joseph said.
When asked which team he would like to play for, Pitino, Rick or his son Richard, Junior Joseph declined to name a team.
“I would play both,” he said. “Coach Richard is like his father. He's going to push you to the limit. He's always going to push you in practice, be tough on you. They're both the same.”
Rick Pitino was told about the 6-foot-10 Junior Joseph by former Louisville star Gorgui Dieng, who met him while working at NBA Academy Africa in Senegal.
Junior Joseph was named MAAC Rookie of the Year as a freshman and helped Iona reach the NCAA Tournament as a junior.
In starting 36 games for New Mexico last season, Junior Joseph averaged 8.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.
“Richard has done a great job developing Nellie into one of the best big men in the country,” Rick said.
