RJ Luis is taking part in his manner into consideration for Huge East Participant of the 12 months honors.
The dynamic 6-foot-7 wing was named the league’s Participant of the Week after main ninth-ranked St. John’s to victories over No. 18 Marquette and Connecticut.
The front-runners are Creighton heart Ryan Kalkbrenner and Marquette guard Kam Jones, however the very best participant on the very best crew usually wins the award, and St. John’s sits on their lonesome atop the convention.
The newest St. John’s participant to win the award was Walter Berry in 1986.
“I’m just blessed to be in that conversation,” Luis stated over Zoom on Tuesday, as St. John’s ready to face Villanova on Wednesday. “As long as we keep winning, I feel like we’ll see what happens. But I’m definitely excited because I know I’m in contention for it, so that’s something I’m definitely trying to go for. But especially, I’m just trying to win the regular-season conference championship, the Big East title and go dancing in March.”
In convention play, Luis is fourth in scoring (18.3) and rebounding (7.2), ninth in offensive rebounds per sport (2.2), eleventh in free-throw share (73.6), and twelfth in area aim share (43.4).
He has additionally emerged as a powerful defender who can guard a number of totally different positions.
Luis has taken a serious leap this yr after accidents sidetracked him final season, when he was not often capable of follow.
Final spring, he underwent surgical procedure to restore shin splints in each legs.
“I think I put in a lot of work. I’m finally healthy. The shins aren’t bothering me,” he stated. “After the wins and our success, the thing I’m most happy about is, every day I wake up, I touch my shins and they don’t hurt. They feel really good.”
CHECK OUT THE LATEST BIG EAST STANDINGS AND ST. JOHN’S STATS
A couple of weeks in the past, coach Rick Pitino stated he anticipated Luis to go professional after this season.
Pitino has taken a step again from that considerably, saying Luis will check the waters and see the place he stands.
St. John’s main scorer isn’t interested by the long run in the mean time.
“My main focus right now is college, representing the St. John’s that I have on the front of my chest, trying to put on for New York City,” Luis stated. “Once the season ends, we’ll get to that.”
Senior level guard Deivon Smith missed follow for a second consecutive day with a sore neck and is uncertain to play towards Villanova, in line with Pitino.
Smith has additionally been coping with a bruised proper shoulder he suffered within the first Villanova contest on Jan. 11.
This might be the fourth sport he has missed for the reason that preliminary damage. Smith damage his neck in follow on Sunday.
Assistant coach Van Macon’s well being is enhancing and he may return to the bench quickly, he instructed The Put up. Macon not too long ago had a coronary heart process.
