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.
St. John’s Lands Missouri State Transfer Ron Mvouika; Adonis & Joey De La Rosa to Transfer; Malik Ellison to Visit (UPDATED)
St. John’s has landed a commitment from Missouri State transfer Ron Mvouika, a 6-6 shooter from Paris via Huntington (W.V.) Prep and Sheridan (WY) College.
He has one year of eligibility and will be available immediately.
With that be said, I be attending Saint John’s University in New York to finish my basketball career. God bless yall
— Ron Mvouika (@Nitodreamchaser) April 21, 2015
Mvouika had a back injury last season and played in just two games at Missouri State.
“He is good,” one coach who knows him told SNY.tv. “He can play the point guard at 6-6. He can play the 1-3 and defend all three spots. He’s a versatile player and a good pickup. He’s not a pro but better than what they can get out of high school right now.”
He joins an incoming class of 6-8 forward Darien Williams, 6-11 big man Yankuba Sima and 6-11 Tariq Owens, who must sit a year after transferring from Tennessee.
After losing Louisiana guard Brandon Sampson to LSU on Monday, St. John’s is still waiting on Cheick Diallo.DE LA ROSAS TO TRANSFERAdonis De La Rosa, St. John’s 7-foot freshman, and Joey De La Rosa, a 6-11 senior, will both transfer, a source told SNY.tv.
The school later issued this statement from AD Chris Monash: “Adonis has been released from the men’s basketball program. He has been granted permission to contact other schools and plans to transfer to another institution.”
Adonis De La Rosa did not play last year due after he was deemed a non-qualifier in November.
He chose St. John’s in April 2014 over Pittsburgh, South Carolina and Alabama, among others.
Adonis, who averaged 12 points and 12 rebounds in helping lead Christ the King to a second straight New York Class AA Federation crown last year, said at the time Pitt was a close second.
Joey De La Rosa averaged 0.5 points and 0.9 rebounds in a reserve role for St. John’s.
MALIK ELLISON TO VISIT
After picking up a scholarship offer from St. John’s on Tuesday, Malik Ellison will take an unofficial to the school next Tuesday, he confirmed to SNY.tv.
“Going on unofficial to St. John’s Tuesday then going from there,” Ellison told Kyle Goblirsch of 247Sports.com.
The 6-foot-6 Ellison remains one of the last strong uncommitted players in the Class of 2015 after enjoying a successful winter and spring.
The son of former No. 1 pick Pervis Ellison, Malik has already visited Minnesota and South Carolina. Rutgers and Pitt are also involved.
Making my college decision soon
— Malik Ellison (@likellison13) April 22, 2015
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.
St. John’s has landed a commitment from Missouri State transfer Ron Mvouika, a 6-6 shooter from Paris via Huntington (W.V.) Prep and Sheridan (WY) College.
He has one year of eligibility and will be available immediately.
Adonis De La Rosa, St. John’s 7-foot freshman, and Joey De La Rosa, a 6-11 senior, will both transfer, a source told SNY.tv.
The school later issued this statement from AD Chris Monash: “Adonis has been released from the men’s basketball program. He has been granted permission to contact other schools and plans to transfer to another institution.”
Adonis De La Rosa did not play last year due after he was deemed a non-qualifier in November.
He chose St. John’s in April 2014 over Pittsburgh, South Carolina and Alabama, among others.
Adonis, who averaged 12 points and 12 rebounds in helping lead Christ the King to a second straight New York Class AA Federation crown last year, said at the time Pitt was a close second.
Joey De La Rosa averaged 0.5 points and 0.9 rebounds in a reserve role for St. John’s.
MALIK ELLISON TO VISIT
After picking up a scholarship offer from St. John’s on Tuesday, Malik Ellison will take an unofficial to the school next Tuesday, he confirmed to SNY.tv.
“Going on unofficial to St. John’s Tuesday then going from there,” Ellison told Kyle Goblirsch of 247Sports.com.
The 6-foot-6 Ellison remains one of the last strong uncommitted players in the Class of 2015 after enjoying a successful winter and spring.
The son of former No. 1 pick Pervis Ellison, Malik has already visited Minnesota and South Carolina. Rutgers and Pitt are also involved.
