Assisted by Lou Carnesecca.
Sophomore guard Simeon Wilcher is the highest-rated rookie drafted out of St. John's since Ryseed Jordan in 2013, but meeting with the late legendary coach will make sure he becomes Johnny. He said it was helpful.
Last spring, Wilcher met Carnesecca while visiting St. John's.
The Hall of Fame coach met with Wilcher and his family and spoke about his experience at St. John's.
“That was a hell of an impact,” Wilcher said after St. John's defeated Kansas State 88-71 last Saturday in the first game since Carnesecca's death.
Wilcher, a Plainfield, N.J., native who starred for local powerhouse Roselle Catholic, was adamant that Carnesecca played a role in his decision.
“I just try to be a part of something,” said Wilcher, who had 11 points and four rebounds in the win. “His legacy will live on here forever, and I wanted to be a part of that.”
Wilcher's father, Sergio, grew up a St. John's fan and attended games when Carnesecca was still the coach.
His favorite player as a child was Walter Berry, and one of Wilcher's older brothers is named after the late Malik Seeley.
The whole family was thrilled to meet Carnesecca.
“He didn't lose anything. He was the smartest guy I've ever met,” Wilcher said. “He would talk to me about games from the ’50s and ’60s when he started coaching, and he would tell me about the players he scouted. was crazy.
“It was an honor to meet you before you passed away.”
Davon Smith returned from a suspension for the win over Harvard a week ago.
The senior guard made a difference coming off the bench with five points, nine rebounds and three assists in 22 minutes.
Smith sat on the bench in the second half of the loss to Georgia in the Bahamas, but had a poor reaction.
Coach Rick Pitino said he wants the team to decide when Smith will return to the court.
“I told him, 'Look, I have the worst memory in the world.' Everybody makes mistakes,” Pitino said. “What matters is what you do after you make a mistake.'' I said, “You're an important part of this team. You'll help us win.'' Learn valuable lessons from your mistakes. I wanted the team to make the decision, not me, and I wanted the team to talk to him because this is the locker room. ”
