By ADAM ZAGORIA
UConn transfer Nahiem Alleyne is already making a splash at St. John’s.
On Saturday, the 6-foot-4 graduate transfer splashed home a game-tying 3-pointer to force double-overtime as the Red Storm went on to beat Rutgers, 89-78, in a charity exhibition game at Carnesecca Arena. The victory made Rick Pitino a winner in his first game back coaching in the Big East.
“It felt like a Big East Tournament game how all the fans were into it,” Alleyne, who finished with 19 points on 6-of-17 shooting, including 4-of-13 from deep, said of the Carnesecca crowd.
“I was excited about that. There were a lot of people in the crowd. Shoutout to St. John’s fans, just keep coming out. We are going to keep proving to y’all that we deserve it. It was just an exciting feeling.”
Pitino also praised Alleyne for his defense. He tallied two steals and a block in the game. “Nahiem is the best defensive player in the backcourt,” Pitino said. “There were times where [Daniss Jenkins] looks to facilitate and get everyone shot, Nahiem has to learn that. “He was great. I think everybody overlooks him, but we don’t because he is our best defensive player [in the backcourt] as well as being able to make his shots.” St. John’s is the third school for Alleyne, who spent three years at Virginia Tech. Last season, he appeared in all 38 games, making eight starts, during UConn’s national championship run under Dan Hurley. He averaged 5.1 points with 32 3-pointers and shot 86.2 percent at the line playing 17.9 minutes per game for the Huskies. Alleyne elevated his scoring production in the NCAA Tournament, posting 7.2 points per game. In his four years at the Division I level, Alleyne has scored 1,072 points, hitting 81.6 percent of his attempts at the free-throw line and shooting 37.0 percent beyond the arc.. After winning a national championship with the Huskies, Alleyne opted to grad-transfer and said he chose St. John’s largely because of Pitino, who won NCAA championships at Kentucky and Louisville (even though the latter was vacated). “[Pitino] has been in the [NBA], he’s been in the Big East…he knows everything so why not play for a legendary coach like him,” he said at media day. When I asked Alleyne on media day last week if he saw similarities between Hurley, 50, and Pitino, 71, he smiled and said: “I kind of joke about it but I feel like Coach Hurley is a younger Coach Pitino just how he gets after it.” He added: “Coach Pitino is the formula in terms of knowing the X’s-and-O’s, he knows how to push guys, he knows how to get that dog out of you.” Alleyne brings experience and winning to a team that has 12 new players, including 10 transfers. He is the only current St. John’s player with an NCAA championship ring. Pitino and St. John’s assistant Taliek Brown (with UConn in 2004) both have rings, too. “There have only been a few of us that have played in the NCAA Tournament,” Alleyne said “And me, Coach Pitino, and Coach Taliek are the only ones that have been in the National Championship and won it.” Having won an NCAA title last season, Alleyne figures why not try for another one at a different Big East school this season. “These guys are always asking questions about that run and I tell them about the mentality, details, and preparation that’s going to help you win games,” he said. “The little things matter and that’s a big thing.” Photo: via St. John’s Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram And Like ZAGS on FacebookNahiem Alleyne sends us to double overtime with a clutch game-tying 3. Really fun exhibition game at Carnesseca Arena between Rutgers and St. John's. pic.twitter.com/a7jiYXMH1W
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) October 21, 2023
