Best/Worst leaper in St. John’s history?

Rowan Barrett had some hops as did Alpha Bangura. But David Russell was the best I saw
 
Searcy, Russell and Beaver Smith
They all had something else in common
None of them could hit a jump shot
Their "range" was a dunk or layup
 
If all the 6ft 6in forwards mentioned raised their arm they probably would measure a foot over Michael Porter who could dunk easily. No one has his elevation.
 
Very Interesting article on Searcy . He was a nice player, who could really sky and played out of position as a Center and PF . I recall though we could not beat the Phil Sellers , Ed Jordan Rutgers team of that era . I seem to remember that Ed wasn’t much of a shooter , more in the put back or bunnie Scorer .
 
[quote="SLYFOXX1968" post=272855]Very Interesting article on Searcy . He was a nice player, who could really sky and played out of position as a Center and PF . I recall though we could not beat the Phil Sellers , Ed Jordan Rutgers team of that era . I seem to remember that Ed wasn’t much of a shooter , more in the put back or bunnie Scorer .[/quote]
Played while dunking was not permitted. Remember near the end of his senior season probably last home game he dunked got called for a technical but brought the house down. I was the first in this thread to bring his name up. :)
 
Bamafan - looks like Knight was first one in thread to mention Ed Searcy. I still remember seeing Searcy, Len Elmore and another great leaper, Jap Trimble, play for the city championship at Alumni Hall.
 
[quote="NCJohnnie" post=272858]Bamafan - looks like Knight was first one in thread to mention Ed Searcy. I still remember seeing Searcy, Len Elmore and another great leaper, Jap Trimble, play for the city championship at Alumni Hall.[/quote]
Oops! Kudos to Knight. I did spin a good yarn about his dunk though.;) :)
 
[quote="Las Vegan" post=272821]I'll go back a few years for best leaper and offer Mickey Rowland and Beaver Smith.[/quote]

You are going back a few years when you mention Mike Rowland (don't recall the "Mickey" nickname). I can clearly remember what he looked like (I was student then), but don't remember anything about his game other than that he was lanky and didn't see lots of playing time. He was, however, a teammate (for two years) of the late Rudy Bogad, the talented, thick-legged center out of Molloy, who'd be a definite contender for the worst leaper in SJU history title. Rudy was a tough rebounder -- averaging about 9 per game during his junior and senior years -- but he was one of those guys who jumped from the waist up.
 
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[quote="redken" post=272863][quote="Las Vegan" post=272821]I'll go back a few years for best leaper and offer Mickey Rowland and Beaver Smith.[/quote]

You are going back a few years when you mention Mike Rowland (don't recall the "Mickey" nickname). I can clearly remember what he looked like (I was student then), but don't remember anything about his game other than that he was lanky and didn't see lots of playing time. He was, however, a teammate (for two years) of the late Rudy Bogad, the talented, thick-legged center out of Molloy, who'd be a definite contender for the worst leaper in SJU history title. Rudy was a tough rebounder -- averaging about 9 per game during his junior and senior years -- but he was one of those guys who jumped from the waist up.[/quote]

Rowland was all-city CHSAA, out of Bishop Loughlin, and was John Warren's back-up at wing forward, which explained his limited playing time. His game was mostly inside.
 
[quote="CBA71" post=272867]Best leaper was Mel Davis[/quote]

Mel lives somewhat close to me (neighboring town in NJ). I have run into him several times at our local supermarket. He now remembers me and is happy to talk Johnnies. Of course, he might also be saying to himself......"uhg, this guy again". If so, he hides it well and is always pleasant.
 
I remember Ed Searcy as a great rebounder who did not have enough gas in the tank to run the court. Did some cherry picking as I recall.

I also remember Mel Davis as a Great rebounder who would slap the ball hard making a thunderous sound when a grabbing rebound. Killer was one tough SOB.
 
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Know it's not St. John's, but I remember in '69 or '70 there was a kid who played for St. Francis, Brooklyn who was barely 6'0" and jumped center, easily beating our then center. Throughout the game there were a lot of ooh and ahs about his jumping, but I don't remember his name. He was, by far, the best leaper I've seen.
 
I think you may mean Fordham's Charlie Yelverton who out jumped Bill Phillips at MSG.
 
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