St. John’s University Faces Injury Setback
Injury woes continue for St. John’s University.
Starting guard Ian Jackson will be sidelined for the upcoming game against Creighton due to an ankle sprain.
Jackson sustained the injury early in the first half against Marquette but managed to finish the game with his ankle wrapped.
“It’s a pretty bad ankle sprain. He’s been in a boot since last night,” noted coach Rick Pitino.
“He showed some toughness—came back, got re-taped, and played through some pain,” Pitino added.
There’s uncertainty around whether Jackson will be back in time for the next game, which is against Connecticut on Wednesday.
At 6’5″, Jackson is one of the team’s standout players, known for his shooting skills. Despite this mishap, Pitino has plans to adjust, possibly partnering Dylan Dahlin in critical moments.
“I want to highlight that Ian had 12 assists and 11 rebounds in practice the other day. He’s definitely improving as a player and learning to contribute in ways beyond just scoring,” Pitino expressed.
He also mentioned a recent play where Jackson aggressively chased a loose ball, showcasing his growing skills.
As for who might step up in Jackson’s absence, it’s still up in the air.
It could be Jawson Sanon or Dahlin joining Oziya Sellers in the backcourt.
Sophomore sharpshooter Lefteris Liotopoulos is also a candidate, having recently impressed with a strong performance against Creighton, scoring 17 points with five three-pointers.
Meanwhile, a considerable number of St. John’s supporters attended the Knicks-Pistons game to show love for former player Danis Jenkins, who is currently making waves in the NBA.
Pitino, along with some coaching staff and players, was present to witness Jenkins’ progression on a competitive team.
“It’s fantastic. Danis is getting significant minutes. He’s with a great team, and that’s exciting for him,” Pitino said.
While Pitino and Masiello enjoyed the courtside view, other team members were seated a bit further back, leading to some light-hearted banter, especially from Ejiofor, who joked about his standing with the coach.
