Don’t underestimate the critical importance of willing to put in the time and effort needed to make the NBA if you aren’t a lottery type player. The reason guys like Brunson, Josh Hart, Julian etc. make it is not because of pure talent it is because of time, effort and sweat. Not everyone is willing to go there.
Keeping Up With Old Friends Thread
- Thread starter RedStormNC
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Absolutely true. It is not simply raw talent.
Lu Dort not drafted after huge promises by his former agent. Work, work, work, now first team NBA defensive last season. With an NBA championship ring to boot.
Undersized, started to play very late but à crazy work ethic.
Good for David. From what I can tell he is one of only 3 former Johnnies on an NBA roster right now. Daniss made the Pistons and is getting spot minutes and Jones on the Spurs roster and did get into one of their first 3 games.
Julian is our big NBA success story getting starters minutes with the Spurs who are a good team. None of our four guys from last year (RJ, Kadary, Scott & Richmond are currently not on NBA rosters; most, if not all of them are on G League affiliates so could still make the league at some point).
L J S A
Well-known member
What's Smith up to? Maybe we can bring him back second semester. It seems like everyone is eligible these days anyway.
Treasure Coast Johnny
Well-known member
Ach du lieber Gott!
Moose
Well-known member
Good for Daniss!
The alma mater making a comback. I love it.
RALPH MENAR
Ralph was born in 1955 and raised in Staten Island. He already won a CYO City Championship in the 8th and 9th grades. At St. Peter’s High School, the sophomore, won the NYState Catholic HS Championship and as a junior, he was a 3rd Team All City selection, leading his team to an undefeated NYC season, before losing the Championship game in the Knights of Columbus Tournament in DC.
At the famous 5 Star Basketbal Camp, he led his team to a Championship and was voted an Honorable Mention All American prior to his Senior year.
He was also the MVP of the United States Youth Games which traveled and played games against various other cities in the US during the summer!
He received a scholarship to St. John's University where he played for Hall of Fame Coach, Lou Carnesecca.
He had a 13 year professional career playing in the Puerto Rican Professional League (BSN) and was a member of their National Team.
After his playing career he coached youth basketball throughout NYC and guided the Police Athletic League All City Team, to Championships in Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Russia.
Ralph coached 2 seasons in the BSN and assisted two of the nations top High School programs at Rice HS and St Patrick's HS.
Though he is retired as the Operations Manager at Riverbank State Park, he was recently appointed the assistant coach at Cardinal Spellman HS in the Bronx.
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Ralph was born in 1955 and raised in Staten Island. He already won a CYO City Championship in the 8th and 9th grades. At St. Peter’s High School, the sophomore, won the NYState Catholic HS Championship and as a junior, he was a 3rd Team All City selection, leading his team to an undefeated NYC season, before losing the Championship game in the Knights of Columbus Tournament in DC.
At the famous 5 Star Basketbal Camp, he led his team to a Championship and was voted an Honorable Mention All American prior to his Senior year.
He was also the MVP of the United States Youth Games which traveled and played games against various other cities in the US during the summer!
He received a scholarship to St. John's University where he played for Hall of Fame Coach, Lou Carnesecca.
He had a 13 year professional career playing in the Puerto Rican Professional League (BSN) and was a member of their National Team.
After his playing career he coached youth basketball throughout NYC and guided the Police Athletic League All City Team, to Championships in Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Russia.
Ralph coached 2 seasons in the BSN and assisted two of the nations top High School programs at Rice HS and St Patrick's HS.
Though he is retired as the Operations Manager at Riverbank State Park, he was recently appointed the assistant coach at Cardinal Spellman HS in the Bronx.
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Seems like St. Louis could be top 2 or 3 in A10- - hoping Brady kills it there.
Thanks for sharing. I knew Ralph Menar a bit through his brother Alex, who was a junior hs teacher of mine. They are a great basketball family.
I played basketball for Msgr. Farrell HS on Staten Island. Ralph is a few years older and played for our rival St. Peter’s.
I was always proud that a Staten Islander played for our great University.
Ralph was a tremendous player, and our 1970s teams were so good that he didn’t play a ton of minutes.
Again, thanks for sharing. Great memories.