Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Sixers Rookie Sampson Has No Regrets About Leaving St. John’s
By JOSH NEWMANNEW YORK – If JaKarr Sampson had stayed at St. John’s, the Red Storm would be even more dangerous than they already are at 7-1 and ranked 24th in the nation.
The Philadelphia 76ers rookie knows this, but even after going undrafted in the 2014 NBA Draft, the 6-foot-9, 214-pound small forward has no regrets about his decision to leave Queens with two years of eligibility left.
“I really don’t think about that because I just felt like it was my time to leave at that moment,” Sampson said before the Sixers took on the Nets on Friday night at Barclays Center. “I don’t regret it at all, I just felt like it was my time to leave. I’m proud of everything they’re doing right now, but I really don’t think about that.”
Within the 7-1 record, the Red Storm’s only loss is to then-No. 10 Gonzaga at the NIT, while they have wins at Syracuse and over Minnesota. The schedule also lines up where they could legitimately be 11-1 going into Big East-play on New Year’s Eve against Seton Hall at the Prudential Center.
After an MSG matinee on Sunday against Fordham, St. John’s will host St. Mary’s and Long Beach State before facing Tulane at Barclays ahead of the Pirates matchup.
“I keep track of my Johnnies, they’re 7-1 with that big win over Syracuse over here,” Sampson said before playfully pointing at fellow-rookie and ex-Syracuse standout Jerami Grant. “I see what they’re doing. They’re making great strides and they’re off to a great start so far.”
Sampson says he remains in contact with St. John’s head coach Steve Lavin, as well as current players D’Angelo Harrison, Chris Obekpa and Phil Greene IV.
Sampson, Harrison and Greene IV are forever-linked as they were part of a highly-touted recruiting class in 2011 that was supposed to bring St. John’s back to prominence. Sampson, along with Norvel Pelle and Amir Garrett, did not qualify academically. Pelle never played a minute at St. John’s, or any other school for that matter. Garrett debuted in the second semester of the 2011-12 season, while Sampson went back to Brewster Academy for another year, then arrived at St John’s as a freshman in 2012-13.
Sampson was named 2013 Big East Rookie of the Year, averaging 14.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, then averaged 12.8 points and 6.1 rebounds as a sophomore before leaving.
Now, after a short trip to the D-League in November, he finds himself adjusting to life in the NBA on the perimeter.
“It really hasn’t been tough, but it’s just getting used to being out on the perimeter more,” Sampson said. “I’ve actually played a little bit of the point this year with our point guards being injured, but being able to play multiple positions is big.”
Follow Josh Newman on Twitter
By JOSH NEWMAN
NEW YORK – If JaKarr Sampson had stayed at St. John’s, the Red Storm would be even more dangerous than they already are at 7-1 and ranked 24th in the nation.
The Philadelphia 76ers rookie knows this, but even after going undrafted in the 2014 NBA Draft, the 6-foot-9, 214-pound small forward has no regrets about his decision to leave Queens with two years of eligibility left.
“I really don’t think about that because I just felt like it was my time to leave at that moment,” Sampson said before the Sixers took on the Nets on Friday night at Barclays Center. “I don’t regret it at all, I just felt like it was my time to leave. I’m proud of everything they’re doing right now, but I really don’t think about that.”
Within the 7-1 record, the Red Storm’s only loss is to then-No. 10 Gonzaga at the NIT, while they have wins at Syracuse and over Minnesota. The schedule also lines up where they could legitimately be 11-1 going into Big East-play on New Year’s Eve against Seton Hall at the Prudential Center.
After an MSG matinee on Sunday against Fordham, St. John’s will host St. Mary’s and Long Beach State before facing Tulane at Barclays ahead of the Pirates matchup.
“I keep track of my Johnnies, they’re 7-1 with that big win over Syracuse over here,” Sampson said before playfully pointing at fellow-rookie and ex-Syracuse standout Jerami Grant. “I see what they’re doing. They’re making great strides and they’re off to a great start so far.”
Sampson says he remains in contact with St. John’s head coach Steve Lavin, as well as current players D’Angelo Harrison, Chris Obekpa and Phil Greene IV.
Sampson, Harrison and Greene IV are forever-linked as they were part of a highly-touted recruiting class in 2011 that was supposed to bring St. John’s back to prominence. Sampson, along with Norvel Pelle and Amir Garrett, did not qualify academically. Pelle never played a minute at St. John’s, or any other school for that matter. Garrett debuted in the second semester of the 2011-12 season, while Sampson went back to Brewster Academy for another year, then arrived at St John’s as a freshman in 2012-13.
Sampson was named 2013 Big East Rookie of the Year, averaging 14.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, then averaged 12.8 points and 6.1 rebounds as a sophomore before leaving.
Now, after a short trip to the D-League in November, he finds himself adjusting to life in the NBA on the perimeter.
“It really hasn’t been tough, but it’s just getting used to being out on the perimeter more,” Sampson said. “I’ve actually played a little bit of the point this year with our point guards being injured, but being able to play multiple positions is big.”
Follow Josh Newman on Twitter
