St. John's fans should appreciate RJ Lewis while he's here.
Rick Pitino expects the dynamic junior wing to turn pro after this season.
The 6-foot-7 Lewis, the reigning Big East Player of the Week, has taken off as the Johnnys' leading scorer this year, scoring 17.5 points per game.
He also averages 6.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists. But Pitino doesn't expect Lewis to return for his senior season.
“RJ is going to try out for the pros,” Pitino said as St. John's prepares to play Seton Hall on Friday night. “They're all going to want to succeed and move forward. And that's the nature of business.”
Pitino was initially asked if there was a chance he would return next year after missing part of last season as he waited for Davon Smith to be cleared as a multiple transfer.
After Smith said he was planning to turn pro, he brought up Lewis.
Pitino said the decision will be Lewis's, but he doesn't participate in many mock drafts.
“He has great upside,” Pitino said. “His body, his shot, his game really lends itself to the NBA. I mean, regardless of his age, he has great, great upside. [22]”
After meeting with a specialist on Wednesday, sophomore wing Brady Dunlap will work on strengthening his torn abdominal muscle in hopes of returning this year.
It is core work of 1.5 hours every day.
He is also dealing with a torn UCL in his left thumb, which is almost fully healed.
Ultimately, Dunlap will likely need surgery.
He will undergo rehabilitation for the next two to three weeks and then reevaluate whether a return is realistic.
The trailer for VICE TV's documentary about St. John's, “Pitino: Red Storm Rising,” was released Friday.
The six-part series will premiere on February 11th from 10pm to 11pm, with new episodes airing weekly.
This is a behind-the-scenes look at Pitino's second season with Johnny.
“You wouldn't do something like this in Kentucky or Louisville,” Pitino said. “We're doing it to promote St. John's. Of course, anything that promotes the program … is good for St. John's because that's been missing for years. So, anything is good.” Positive publicity is good for St. John's and that's why we're doing this.”
