Isaiah Whitehead, SG (Seton Hall verbal)

@NYPost_Brazille: St. John's has reached out to Whitehead, they want him, source says, and there is intrigue. #sjubb
Click to expand...

I heard the kid also reached out. Mom is very fond of the coaching staff.
Click to expand...

Very interesting if true
Click to expand...

Per the source, I believe it to be true.
Click to expand...

His mother reaching out is one thing...seems logical if she wants him close to home. But it's very interesting if he in fact also reached out on his own. Word was that Lavin slowed down on the recruiting to avoid seeming like he lost another big NYC recruit...well, does this mean that he felt he had a legitimate shot and decided to go guns blazing after him? You have to think if he didn't feel totally confident he would have stopped altogether.
Click to expand...

I mentioned this in an earlier post today. I've been told that Lavin stopped recruiting him b/c he didn't want to have the image of losing another local kid. The fact that he's recruiting him again makes me feel very confident on our chances of landing him
Click to expand...

Right...if he loses him it may very well give people more of that perception that he can't keep most of the local kids, so clearly he is taking a calculated risk here where he feels ours chances are good enough to throw ourselves in there. Otherwise he'd be stabbing himself in the foot. I wonder if he had a long talk with his mother that gave him a different perspective and changed his mind. One thing is for sure though...we will have the best guards without any argument in the Big East if he comes.
 
Days like this are why I find is so absolutely absurd that people question Lavin's recruiting. By my count, there are three JUCOs that we were heavily involved with out of high school that the staff might be recruiting behind the scenes: Chandler, Carlos Morris, and Wood. The staff has already slow-played its way to FOUR JUCOS (Lindsey, GG, Bourgault, and Sanchez).

We have a top 15 caliber player with a dwindling list still interested in us. There is a top 100 caliber center right down the street that I think we would be able to sign tomorrow if Lavin put the full court press on. Come December there will be a nice list of former top 50 and 100 recruits available as mid-season transfers. Come April there will be a bunch of top recruits available when the coaching carousel starts spinning.

FWIW Whitehead's list doesn't scare me at all. Indiana is the only school on that list that is clearly a better program and New York kids have never really had a pipeline to Bloomington like other out-of-state schools.
 
@NYPost_Brazille: St. John's has reached out to Whitehead, they want him, source says, and there is intrigue. #sjubb
Click to expand...

I heard the kid also reached out. Mom is very fond of the coaching staff.
Click to expand...

Very interesting if true
Click to expand...

Per the source, I believe it to be true.
Click to expand...

His mother reaching out is one thing...seems logical if she wants him close to home. But it's very interesting if he in fact also reached out on his own. Word was that Lavin slowed down on the recruiting to avoid seeming like he lost another big NYC recruit...well, does this mean that he felt he had a legitimate shot and decided to go guns blazing after him? You have to think if he didn't feel totally confident he would have stopped altogether.
Click to expand...

We had actually stopped pursuing him. In some cases, this stuff can change. Recruiting really can be fluid. I know it may sound trite, but it is also true.

He could be heeding his mom's advice by, possibly, staying or wanting to be close to home.
 
Days like this are why I find is so absolutely absurd that people question Lavin's recruiting. By my count, there are three JUCOs that we were heavily involved with out of high school that the staff might be recruiting behind the scenes: Chandler, Carlos Morris, and Wood. The staff has already slow-played its way to FOUR JUCOS (Lindsey, GG, Bourgault, and Sanchez).

We have a top 15 caliber player with a dwindling list still interested in us. There is a top 100 caliber center right down the street that I think we would be able to sign tomorrow if Lavin put the full court press on. Come December there will be a nice list of former top 50 and 100 recruits available as mid-season transfers. Come April there will be a bunch of top recruits available when the coaching carousel starts spinning.

FWIW Whitehead's list doesn't scare me at all. Indiana is the only school on that list that is clearly a better program and New York kids have never really had a pipeline to Bloomington like other out-of-state schools.
Click to expand...

Who's this top 100 recruit?
 
Days like this are why I find is so absolutely absurd that people question Lavin's recruiting. By my count, there are three JUCOs that we were heavily involved with out of high school that the staff might be recruiting behind the scenes: Chandler, Carlos Morris, and Wood. The staff has already slow-played its way to FOUR JUCOS (Lindsey, GG, Bourgault, and Sanchez).

We have a top 15 caliber player with a dwindling list still interested in us. There is a top 100 caliber center right down the street that I think we would be able to sign tomorrow if Lavin put the full court press on. Come December there will be a nice list of former top 50 and 100 recruits available as mid-season transfers. Come April there will be a bunch of top recruits available when the coaching carousel starts spinning.

FWIW Whitehead's list doesn't scare me at all. Indiana is the only school on that list that is clearly a better program and New York kids have never really had a pipeline to Bloomington like other out-of-state schools.
Click to expand...

Who's this top 100 recruit?
Click to expand...

I think he is talking about Adonis.
 
Days like this are why I find is so absolutely absurd that people question Lavin's recruiting. By my count, there are three JUCOs that we were heavily involved with out of high school that the staff might be recruiting behind the scenes: Chandler, Carlos Morris, and Wood. The staff has already slow-played its way to FOUR JUCOS (Lindsey, GG, Bourgault, and Sanchez).

We have a top 15 caliber player with a dwindling list still interested in us. There is a top 100 caliber center right down the street that I think we would be able to sign tomorrow if Lavin put the full court press on. Come December there will be a nice list of former top 50 and 100 recruits available as mid-season transfers. Come April there will be a bunch of top recruits available when the coaching carousel starts spinning.

FWIW Whitehead's list doesn't scare me at all. Indiana is the only school on that list that is clearly a better program and New York kids have never really had a pipeline to Bloomington like other out-of-state schools.
Click to expand...

Who's this top 100 recruit?
Click to expand...

I think he is talking about Adonis.
Click to expand...

Correct. ESPN has him at 29th for his position and apparently he is rising due to his improved conditioning.
 
Could you imagine this backcourt?

Harrison, Greene, Branch (Sr.)
Balamou (Jr.)
Jordan (Soph.)
Whitehead (Fr.)

Would easily be one of the best in the country. And if St. John's is short on big men (which they might be), they could put out a 3 guard lineup.
 
Could you imagine this backcourt?

Harrison, Greene, Branch (Sr.)
Balamou (Jr.)
Jordan (Soph.)
Whitehead (Fr.)

Would easily be one of the best in the country. And if St. John's is short on big men (which they might be), they could put out a 3 guard lineup.
Click to expand...

Another obvious yet important benefit to getting Whitehead is this: a serious injury to one of our guards really won't matter because we have so many who can step in. The way I feel right now, I think we still need to avoid all major injuries to key players to seriously live up to expectations, but if we get Whitehead we become so deep where we can actually afford or absorb a major injury to a guard. Knock on wood and god forbid that happens, but having so many top 50 ish guards who can step right in and fill someone else's shoes is huge. If Branch really is vastly improved (evidence points to it being accurate thus far), Jordan generally lives up to his hype or comes close, Greene can stay healthy, Harrison can improve his shot selection and 3PT%, and ontop of all that we land Whitehead, this is going to be a ridiculous team (it already kind of is even without him). Dare I say we have a chance of having 4 straight Big East ROY's? Harkless, Sampson, Jordan, Whitehead? :D
 
Calling on Ress Joe to head up a contingent of students to recognize IW during his unofficial and start a chant of WE WANT ISAIAH! :)
 
Calling on Ress Joe to head up a contingent of students to recognize IW during his unofficial and start a chant of WE WANT ISAIAH! :)
Click to expand...

Hah! See the weird thing is that unfortunately students like me at SJU right now are rare. That is to say some people think I have a problem because I'm such a big fan. My friends who see my room laugh at me because I have the rally towel "New York's Team" over my bed, my trusty Lavin bobblehead next to my TV set (for good luck), a Harkless jersey hanging on the wall next to a Melo Knicks jersey, a banner "We Are...St. John's", a few hats, shirts, poster, and an SJU banner hanging from my ceiling right next to my Marist one. I even have the SJU sticker on the back windshield of my car as well as a license plate cover and SJ decal on the side window. It may sound crazy but I try to get our brand out there...even as 1 guy if one more person sees the interlocking SJ and then sees us on TV and makes the connection, it's a success IMO.

Anyway, there aren't many true diehards. As I've said before, in my program it's just me and one other male. And that other male is not a sports guy. So of course the girls think I'm nuts when I ask them if they're watching the game or going after class. It's normal to be a "diehard" of Cuse, UNC, Duke, etc. because they have the success to back it up, but I definitely get some snickers or comments like "doesn't SJU suck though?". Sorry to kind of veer off topic a bit, but IMO to seriously begin to consider doing things like gathering student contingents in the name of SJU basketball fandom for a recruit's welcoming or other purposes, there needs to be a substantial base of diehards and as of right now I regret to report that the base is just not there. It just might be if we make big strides this year though. But one thing you can be sure of is that I always push going to games, getting gear, watching the team on TV, etc. I have already bought some pairs of shorts for friends who don't even attend SJU and had them reimburse me because they thought they looked cool.

EDIT: Just saw the Whitehead video and it looks like he does a fantastic job creating space via spins and fadeaways. Also can clearly dish to his teammates. Surprisingly good blocker for a guard as well. Seems to have solid timing. Seeing videos like this is like looking through the JC Penny's catalog as a kid for toys you want Santa to get you. Let's hope he comes to Queens!
 
Calling on Ress Joe to head up a contingent of students to recognize IW during his unofficial and start a chant of WE WANT ISAIAH! :)
Click to expand...

Hah! See the weird thing is that unfortunately students like me at SJU right now are rare. That is to say some people think I have a problem because I'm such a big fan. My friends who see my room laugh at me because I have the rally towel "New York's Team" over my bed, my trusty Lavin bobblehead next to my TV set (for good luck), a Harkless jersey hanging on the wall next to a Melo Knicks jersey, a banner "We Are...St. John's", a few hats, shirts, poster, and an SJU banner hanging from my ceiling right next to my Marist one. I even have the SJU sticker on the back windshield of my car as well as a license plate cover and SJ decal on the side window. It may sound crazy but I try to get our brand out there...even as 1 guy if one more person sees the interlocking SJ and then sees us on TV and makes the connection, it's a success IMO.
Click to expand...

Photo shop some SJU gear on Jessica Alba and throw that up in your room and you will get instant Cred.
 
Hey Ress Joe do your recruiting in Lavinwood and find that one guy who has been a "student" there since I think he had a part in Animal House! :)
 
....Ultimately it's up to him how important it is to go away, but I think many NYC area recruits grow up spoiled in the biggest market with all the national attention without realizing what a big deal it would be for someone in say Indiana or North Dakota.

A kid growing up in Beverly Hills will likely not understand just how good he has it. An NYC recruit will likely not understand just how valuable NYC is for basketball and media power.
Click to expand...

What do you mean by national attention? Outside of NYC, the university (in my experience) is relatively unknown. In regards to basketball, they have their 6-8games each year that are televised nationally, but that is no different than alot of other schools. I'm sorry, but I just don't see this great advantage when it comes to national attention/exposure.
 
EDIT: Just saw the Whitehead video and it looks like he does a fantastic job creating space via spins and fadeaways. Also can clearly dish to his teammates. Surprisingly good blocker for a guard as well. Seems to have solid timing.
Click to expand...

I also liked the way he seems to effectively use his off (left) hand in the video clips. Looks smooth.
 
Looks like it will be Wednesday.....

Isaiah Whitehead unofficial visit to St. John's will be Wednesday, per source. #sjubb

 
A couple months ago, coach involved in Whitehead's recruitment said, "I can't help but think St. John's finds their way back in there."

 
Whitehead had said back at the Elite 24 he would be interested if St. John's had tried to get involved again, Looks like STJ is making moves

 
....Ultimately it's up to him how important it is to go away, but I think many NYC area recruits grow up spoiled in the biggest market with all the national attention without realizing what a big deal it would be for someone in say Indiana or North Dakota.

A kid growing up in Beverly Hills will likely not understand just how good he has it. An NYC recruit will likely not understand just how valuable NYC is for basketball and media power.
Click to expand...

What do you mean by national attention? Outside of NYC, the university (in my experience) is relatively unknown. In regards to basketball, they have their 6-8games each year that are televised nationally, but that is no different than alot of other schools. I'm sorry, but I just don't see this great advantage when it comes to national attention/exposure.
Click to expand...

Let me explain the advantage to you. If Maurice Harkless averaged 15 & 7 at St Louis University, he would never had been a First round draft pick. He would not have played and had a monster game at Duke and finally, he would not have played and had a great game against Pitt in the Big East tourney at Madison Square Garden.
St. Johns, in spite of having had some down years, is well known throughout the country in regards to our basketball program. That was one of the selling points in convincing Coach Lavin to take the job. Restore the Tradition !!!!!
 
....Ultimately it's up to him how important it is to go away, but I think many NYC area recruits grow up spoiled in the biggest market with all the national attention without realizing what a big deal it would be for someone in say Indiana or North Dakota.

A kid growing up in Beverly Hills will likely not understand just how good he has it. An NYC recruit will likely not understand just how valuable NYC is for basketball and media power.
Click to expand...

What do you mean by national attention? Outside of NYC, the university (in my experience) is relatively unknown. In regards to basketball, they have their 6-8games each year that are televised nationally, but that is no different than alot of other schools. I'm sorry, but I just don't see this great advantage when it comes to national attention/exposure.
Click to expand...

Let me explain the advantage to you. If Maurice Harkless averaged 15 & 7 at St Louis University, he would never had been a First round draft pick. He would not have played and had a monster game at Duke and finally, he would not have played and had a great game against Pitt in the Big East tourney at Madison Square Garden.
St. Johns, in spite of having had some down years, is well known throughout the country in regards to our basketball program. That was one of the selling points in convincing Coach Lavin to take the job. Restore the Tradition !!!!!
Click to expand...

I agree with you on lots of things, panther. But I think Harkless still would've been a first round pick, if he had played for St. Louis.

Remember Larry Hughes?

Otherwise, the rest of your post is on point.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top