NASSAU, BAHAMAS — St. John's University will take a closer look at an animal that escaped Thursday night.
When the No. 22 Johnnies play No. 13 Baylor, their opponent will have former Long Island Lutheran star V.J. Edgecomb.
St. John's University selected the five-star guard to its final five and accepted him on an official visit last November.
Ultimately, he chose Baylor in January, becoming the Bears' highest-rated rookie in over a decade.
“They were in my top five, they definitely had a chance. I wasn't going to put them in my top five for no reason,” Edgecombe told the Post on the eve of the Baha Mar Hoop Championship. . “So they definitely had a chance. Rick Pitino is a legendary coach, a Hall of Fame coach. He's a winning coach. I have nothing but respect for Coach Pitino and what he's building. .”
In the end, things worked out for St. John's.
Despite losing Edgecombe, they acquired top transfer targets Kadary Richmond (Seton Hall) and Davon Smith (Utah) and combined that duo with improved sophomore guard Simeon Wilcher. .
Pitino never felt St. John's was close to acquiring Edgecomb, but it's clear the Hall of Fame coach wanted him.
“I think he's a dynamic athlete and one of the best athletes in the country,” Pitino said.
For Edgecombe, this marks a return home.
He grew up in the Bahamas, a 30-minute flight from the resort in Bimini, and will have a large group of family and friends in attendance for Baylor's two games on Thursday and Friday nights.
Edgecomb spent two years at Long Island Lutheran, where he was twice named Gatorade New York Player of the Year and a McDonald's All-American.
He immigrated to the United States when he was in the 9th grade.
“It's definitely going to be great,” he said of his return trip. “Some of my family members have never seen me play before, so they get to see me play. It's always great to represent the Bahamas, especially the Bahamas. .”
So far, the 6-foot-5 Edgecomb has struggled with his shot, making just 3-of-17 from 3-point range.
However, he displayed elite athleticism and a well-rounded game, averaging 11.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.8 blocks.
He also produced some highlight dunks, including a powerful dunk on Gonzaga coach Mark Few's son Joe late in a lopsided loss to the Zags that made headlines. It also includes things.
Early NBA mock drafts have Edgecomb in the top 10.
But he doesn't pay attention to it.
“Personally, I don't care about that. I just want to win,” Edgecombe said. “I know if you win, everyone eats. I want to see the whole team succeed. I'm not really interested in mock drafts.
“One day you could be top five, the next week or so you could be top five.” [in the] Second round. It's just a collection of opinions. Of course I respect everyone's opinion, but I don't pay attention to it at all. ”
