Within the last minute of St. John’s rout of Wagner on Wednesday evening, as everybody was sitting down on the tail-end of the blowout victory, Simeon Wilcher was locked in.
Freshman Jaiden Glover was on the free-throw line and Wilcher was intently watching.
When Glover scored the primary school factors of his profession, Wilcher celebrated from the sideline.
“I’ve known him for a while. He was on my team in high school,” the sophomore mentioned. “Just seeing him getting his first college points was exciting for me, especially because I know how important that was for him.”
within the second half towards the Fordham Rams at Carnesecca
Area on Nov. 4. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Pictures
Wilcher is aware of precisely what Glover goes by means of as a extremely regarded recruit ready for his time to return.
He skilled it himself final 12 months, spending the season principally studying and watching quite than taking part in.
Now he’s a starter and a key a part of this St. John’s staff.
“Trying to let him know, you can’t rush it. Especially with Coach [Rick Pitino], he has his way of coaching,” Wilcher mentioned. “That’s what we got here right here for. We got here right here to get higher. Like final 12 months, I used to be capable of be taught loads. I be sure to let him realize it’s vital to be sure you hold working at your recreation so you retain your confidence up. He does that. Each day in observe he does nice.
“You don’t know when your number is going to be called. You can not play in two or three games and that third game you can get called on five minutes into the game. So you just got to be ready.”
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at St. John’s College in Queens, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Put up
Nelly Junior Joseph by no means acquired an opportunity to play on the Backyard in his two years at Iona College, so Sunday might be a primary when the New Mexico ahead faces his former coach, Rick Pitino.
“Oh my God, I’m so excited. I can’t wait to play against him,” Junior Joseph mentioned.
Requested which Pitino, Rick or his son Richard, he would quite play for, Junior Joseph declined to select.
“I would play for both,” he mentioned. “Coach Richard is just like his dad. He’s going to push you to your limit. He’s going to always push you in practice, be hard on you. They are both the same.”
Rick Pitino was informed in regards to the 6-foot-10 Junior Joseph by former Louisville star Gorgui Dieng, who acquired to know Junior Joseph whereas working with NBA Academy Africa in Senegal.
Junior Joseph was named the MAAC Rookie of the Yr as a freshman and helped Iona attain the NCAA Event as a junior.
Final season at New Mexico in 36 begins, Junior Joseph averaged 8.9 factors, 8.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.
“Richard’s done a fabulous job developing Nelly into one of the premier big men in the country,” Rick mentioned.
