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.
By ADAM ZAGORIAAndre Curbelo is coming home.
The Illinois transfer and former Long Island Lutheran star announced Friday he would be transferring to St. John’s, a school that originally recruited him out of high school.
Curbelo, averaged 7.5 points and 3.2 assists this season after sustaining a concussion in October, will join forces with Posh Alexander in what should be a highly explosive and entertaining backcourt. They will attempt to lead the Johnnies to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019.
“Just having some guys from my high school, having kids from New York, being from home, the style of play, why wouldn’t I want to go there?” the 6-foot-1 Curbelo, who will join former Long Island Lutheran teammates Rafael Pinzon and Drissa Traore,told The New York Post. “I think it will be the perfect fit and I’m just looking forward to it.”
Of playing with Alexander, he said, ““I know it’s going to be electric. I know we’re going to push each other. I know we’ll probably go at it, too. I know how good we can be together.”
Kansas State, Saint Mary’s, Clemson, Texas A&M, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh and Gonzaga were among the others to reach out.
The 6-foot-1 Curbelo initially committed to Illinois in November 2019 out of Long Island Lutheran.
He also held offers from Indiana, Texas A&M, Kansas, Oregon, Florida, UConn, Georgetown, Providence, Louisville, Boston College, Pitt, Maryland and Texas Tech.
“Andre’s most underrated quality is his competitiveness,” LuHi coach John Buck told ZAGSBLOG.
“He was 95-10 during his 4 years of high school basketball. He hates to lose and I believe his personality and skill set will help St. John’s become one of the best team’s in the country next year. Andre knows the game as well as anyone I’ve coached and I’m confident he can mesh well with the entire team in place. It’s going to be fun to watch and we are all excited he’s back close to home.”
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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
