On the eve of their Red Storm Tip-Off on Friday night, St. John’s went four deep Thursday to watch Roselle (N.J.) Catholic point guard Isaiah Briscoe in his first workout since getting the boot on his foot removed.
The 6-foot-3 Briscoe fractured his foot over the summer and has been in a walking boot since July.
St. John’s coach Steve Lavin watched Briscoe at RC along with assistants Rico Hines, Tony Chiles and Jim Whitesell.
Briscoe is due to visit St. John’s beginning Friday along with his father, George. St. John’s will also host 2015s Cheick Diallo and Brandon Sampson in what is a critical recruiting period for the Johnnies, who have six seniors on the roster.
Briscoe is also considering Kentucky, UConn, Missouri and Seton Hall, but Lavin has been recruiting the point guard for more than two years and feels confident.
Lavin has a history of recruiting and coaching future NBA point guards like Baron Davis and Earl Watson, and current point guard Rysheed Jordan could be a potential pro.
As always, Lavin pitches the appeal of playing in New York City, at Madison Square Garden, to all of his recruits.
“Isaiah and I were very impressed by St John’s tonight,” RC coach Dave Boff told SNY.tv. “They brought the whole staff to watch his first workout since the boot came off.
“After the workout I spent some time with the staff and during our talk I saw how well they knew Isaiah as a player and a person. It was a clear sign of not only how long they have recruited him but also and how well they have recruited him.
“I came away with a great feeling about St Johns, where the program is today and where it’s headed in the near future.”
Briscoe initially said he would commit in the spring, but recently told SNY.tv he may pull the trigger in the fall.
His father said he currently has no specific timeframe in mind.
