Two deficiencies from last season — lateral quickness and lack of size — shouldn’t be an issue for St. John’s this year.
A month into summer training, when asked about his first impressions of his new recruits, coach Rick Pitino was quick to point to those two qualities.
And highly-rated Portuguese forward Ruben Prai and expected starting winger RJ Luis have yet to train.
The team has two 7-footers in USC transfer Vince Iwuchukwu and freshman Carman Maker, as well as other quality players in Utah transfer Davon Smith, Seton Hall transfer Kadary Richmond and North Texas outfielder Aaron Scott.
“This is the best talent I’ve ever had. [my] “Louisville’s second half has been great in terms of depth, athleticism, speed,” Pitino said after practice Wednesday. “It’s great because they’re so competitive every day. … Physically, [from last season]”We’re a lot faster and a lot taller.”
The team’s main additions this spring were star point guards Richmond and Smith, who Pitino believes have NBA potential along with Lewis.
But Scott, who Pitino called the best defender he’s ever played for the team, also impressed.
The 6-foot-7 Scott and returning forward Zubby Ejiofor have been the Johnnies’ most consistent players in terms of effort in practice.
But one day, some of those players could be St. John’s best players.
Pitino said Wednesday he felt the honor should go to rising sophomores Simeon Wilcher and Ejiofor.
“Talent, very talented,” Pitino said of his team. “It’s amazing that you don’t know who the best player is out of seven or eight guys. It’s amazing that you don’t know who the best player is every day.”
Lewis (shin) and four-star freshman Jayden Glover (wrist) are working their way back from injuries.
The pair can do non-contact work but have not yet been cleared to practice fully.
Pitino expects it to be ready by September.
The playing international is yet to arrive as the Portuguese forward is working on obtaining a student visa.
That could happen in the coming weeks. Greek guard Lefteris Liotopoulos is playing for the country’s under-19 national team in international competition and doesn’t arrive until September.
Members of last year’s team – Danis Jenkins, Chris Redlam and Sean Conway – took part in Wednesday’s practice.
