GEICO SportsNite: St. John’s introduces Mullin
New St. John's men's basketball coach Chris
New St. John's men's basketball coach Chris
Cheick Diallo was named the MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game Wednesday night at Chicago’s United Center.
The 6-foot-9 native of Mali went for 18 points and 10 rebounds as the East beat the West, 111-91.
“I’m so happy to be here, too,” Diallo told ESPN. “It’s a lot different because that’s an All-Star Game.”
Meantime, Diallo said he might announce at or around the Jordan Brand Classic set for April 17 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
Shaka Smart could be introduced as the new Texas coach by Friday, according to a report from the Austin American-Statesman.
Texas officials are hopeful that they can introduce Shaka Smart as new head basketball coach Friday.
— Kirk Bohls (@kbohls) April 2, 2015
Smart has still not said a final yes to Texas as the two sides "work out details." Contract could be as long as six years, source says.
— Kirk Bohls (@kbohls) April 2, 2015
Texas parted ways with former coach Rick Barnes last weekend, and he subsequently became the new coach at Tennessee.
NEW YORK — In front of more than 1,000 St. John’s fans, alums, boosters and media members, Chris Mullin hit it out of the park in his introductory press conference.
The former St. John’s player-turned-head-coach told the faithful inside Carnesecca Arena everything they wanted — and needed — to hear.
His players would be the fittest around, they would plays their “tails off,” they would be good citizens and the ultimate goal would be to get the Red Storm back to where Mullin led them during that glorious 1985 run that saw three Big East teams playing on the season’s final weekend: the Final Four.
NEW YORK — Junior big man Chris Obekpa was among the players new St. John’s coach Chris Mullin met with before his introductory press conference on Wednesday.
Sophomore guard Rysheed Jordan was not in the meeting, and sources previously told SNY.tv he was in a wait-and-see mode about his future. Jordan averaged 14.1 points and 3.7 rebounds, but also dealt with several off-the-court issues, including a homophobic Tweet which he had to delete and the death of his grandmother.
“I saw Chris [Obekpa] today,” Mullin said, adding, “Talent usually makes a good coach. I did not see Rysheed.”
The 6-foot-9 Obekpa was suspended on Selection Sunday by former coach Steve Lavin for failing a drug test and missed the team’s second-round NCAA Tournament loss to San Diego State. Obekpa was in attendance at Mullin’s press conference, greeting fans in the back but did not address the media.
By KHADRICE ROLLINS
CHICAGO — Caleb Swanigan is still considering seven schools, including two that will square off Saturday in the Final Four: Duke and Michigan State.
He later announced that he would announce his college choice on April 11 at the Nike Hoop Summit.
For the 6-foot-8, 250-pounder from Fort Wayne (IN) Homestead, a school with a good pedigree and a legendary coach like Coach K or Tom Izzo is intriguing.
“It would be exciting to play for a Hall of Fame coach like that,” Swanigan told SNY.tv at the McDonald’s All-American Game on Tuesday. “And get that exposure at that level because they play the best of the best every year.”
By KHADRICE ROLLINS
CHICAGO — Despite rumors that Ivan Rabb was ready to make an announcement at the McDonald’s All-American scrimmage on Tuesday, he said that’s not the case.
“It wasn’t true at all,” Rabb told SNY.tv before the game. “I think my words probably got misconstrued a little bit. I said there might be a possibility, but right now, I still haven’t gotten to talk with my family, so I’m not doing it.”
The 6-foot-11 big man from Oakland (CA) Bishop O’Dowd said that he is choosing between Arizona and California, and they are many factors that are playing in role in his decision-making.
