LJ Figueroa

paultzman

paultzman

Well-known member
2023 $upporter 2022 $upporter
St. John’s
6-5 195 lb RSSO SG
34.2 mpg, 21.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.2 spg, 0.4 bpg, 1.4 tpg, 64.1 eFG% (stats for JUCO Odessa College)

LJ Figueroa has had a few twists in his road to high major basketball. Coming out of high school, Figuerora was rated as a 4-star by most services and was usually ranked towards the back of or just outside the top 100. He committed to low major powerhouse New Mexico State despite offers from a few high majors. He enrolled early but never played for the Aggies. Head coach Paul Weir and staff were poached by in state rival New Mexico and Figueroa decided to transfer. Possibly encouraged by academic concerns, Figueroa ended up going the JUCO route where he was an instant star at Odessa College. He led Odessa to the NJCAA tournament and earned a First Team All American recognition. There was some question on whether or not Figueroa would need one or two years of JUCO but he managed to get himself eligible in one and quickly joined the Red Storm.

At every stop on Figueroa’s path, he has had the reputation of a scorer. He is both a crafty slasher and a deadeye three-point shooter. As a former four-star recruit he was a man amongst boys at the JUCO level, averaging over 20 points per game with eFG% in the mid-60s. One opposing JUCO coach described him as having a “crafty old man” game. The transition from JUCO to Big East is a steep one. Plus, St. John’s is lousy with guards this year but Figueroa’s scoring ability should demand a significant role. He should start alongside Shamorie Ponds, Mikey Dixon, and Justin Simon giving the Red Storm one of the most lethal backcourts in the nation. His presence on this list is assuming that Mustapha Heron will not be eligible for this coming year. If Heron were to be granted a waiver, this would force Figueroa to the bench, but what a bench player to have if you are St. John’s.

https://painttouches.com/2018/08/20/top-50-players-in-the-big-east-50-41-3/
 
The writer thinks we are going to start 4 guards? Possible, but I doubt it, although I would expect all of them to see significant playing time.
 
[quote="Anthony Mattia" post=293220]The writer thinks we are going to start 4 guards? Possible, but I doubt it, although I would expect all of them to see significant playing time.[/quote]

I think Keita starts regardless. We need to at least show some token inside presence.

The writer was correct about one thing, though. LJ's starting status probably rests on Heron's eligibility. Figure the three starters back from last year will reclaim their roles, plus Keita, equates to only one more spot. Expect Figueroa to get it if Heron is not cleared.

Either way though, to have someone like Greg Williams coming off the bench (and possibly Josh Roberts too), is a major upgrade in the depth department. That's something Mullin has not had in his time here.
 
I think, if Heron is eligible, we are going to see Ponds, Simon, Heron, Figueroa, and Clark getting a lot of playing time together. We will be giving up height, but few teams will be able to run with us, Keith is the wild card, he has to show that he is willing to rebound and play defense. Dixon and Williams give us depth at guard. If Ellington or Robert's can provide useful minutes up front, we should be fine.

NCAAOR bust.
 
Last edited:
[quote="panther2" post=293223]I think, if Heron is eligible, we are going to see Ponds, Simon, Heron, Figueroa, and Simon getting a lot of playing time together. We will be giving up height, but few teams will be able to run with us, Keith is the wild card, he has to show that he is willing to rebound and play defense. Dixon and Williams give us depth at guard. If Ellington or Robert's can provide useful minutes up front, we should be fine.

NCAAOR bust.[/quote]
Agree totally Panther! Keita does have a bit of a rep wanting to drift to perimeter for jumpers, not where we want him. Hopefully he avoids that for most part & as you said, also realizes we can really benefit from dedication to rebounding.

Now get back to your vacation! :)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
[quote="panther2" post=293223]I think, if Heron is eligible, we are going to see Ponds, Simon, Heron, Figueroa, and Simon getting a lot of playing time together. We will be giving up height, but few teams will be able to run with us, Keith is the wild card, he has to show that he is willing to rebound and play defense. Dixon and Williams give us depth at guard. If Ellington or Robert's can provide useful minutes up front, we should be fine.

NCAAOR bust.[/quote]

There are two Simons? Who is Keith? So many questions
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=293224][quote="panther2" post=293223]I think, if Heron is eligible, we are going to see Ponds, Simon, Heron, Figueroa, and Simon getting a lot of playing time together. We will be giving up height, but few teams will be able to run with us, Keith is the wild card, he has to show that he is willing to rebound and play defense. Dixon and Williams give us depth at guard. If Ellington or Robert's can provide useful minutes up front, we should be fine.

NCAAOR bust.[/quote]
Agree totally Panther! Keita does have a bit of a rep wanting to drift to perimeter for jumpers, not where we want him. Hopefully he avoids that for most part & as you said, also realizes we can really benefit from dedication to rebounding.

Now get back to your vacation! :)[/quote]
So Keita really is a replacement for T. Owens. :) Don't really need him to realize things, need coaches to insist on things and that goes for all the players.
 
[quote="Windy City Johnny Fan" post=293225][quote="panther2" post=293223]I think, if Heron is eligible, we are going to see Ponds, Simon, Heron, Figueroa, and Simon getting a lot of playing time together. We will be giving up height, but few teams will be able to run with us, Keith is the wild card, he has to show that he is willing to rebound and play defense. Dixon and Williams give us depth at guard. If Ellington or Robert's can provide useful minutes up front, we should be fine.

NCAAOR bust.[/quote]

There are two Simons? Who is Keith? So many questions[/quote]

Safe to assume he meant Marvin since he's not listed in his post. And he's 100 percent correct. We need to play our top five players if Heron is eligible. And Keita is not in the top 5.

Clark is jacked enough to grab rebounds for us, so he just needs to commit to it.
 
[quote="L J S A" post=293228][quote="Windy City Johnny Fan" post=293225][quote="panther2" post=293223]I think, if Heron is eligible, we are going to see Ponds, Simon, Heron, Figueroa, and Simon getting a lot of playing time together. We will be giving up height, but few teams will be able to run with us, Keith is the wild card, he has to show that he is willing to rebound and play defense. Dixon and Williams give us depth at guard. If Ellington or Robert's can provide useful minutes up front, we should be fine.

NCAAOR bust.[/quote]

There are two Simons? Who is Keith? So many questions[/quote]

Safe to assume he meant Marvin since he's not listed in his post. And he's 100 percent correct. We need to play our top five players if Heron is eligible. And Keita is not in the top 5.

Clark is jacked enough to grab rebounds for us, so he just needs to commit to it.[/quote]

Yes LJSA, Clark looks lean, mean & lethal, certainly capable of banging underneath a bit.
Team, with Heron (which I actually 'expect', with all fingers crossed!), looks very deep, and if Keita and Clark bang the boards, we should be very tough to beat.
Ponds, Simon, Heron, Clark, Keita, Figueroa, Dixon, Trimble/Williams,with snippets from Roberts/Earlington.
Running 7 - 8 men deep on most nights.
Sweet.
 
I don't recall seeing this top 50 analysis the last two years. Fun to read. I will look forward to the next installation. Will be interesting to see whether they are including Heron as one of the five (assume they won't since he is officially not eligible at this point) and if not, who the next SJU player will be (Dixon or Keita).

Good off season diversionary material; Thanks as always Paultz!
 
[quote="NCJohnnie" post=293240]I don't recall seeing this top 50 analysis the last two years. Fun to read. I will look forward to the next installation. Will be interesting to see whether they are including Heron as one of the five (assume they won't since he is officially not eligible at this point) and if not, who the next SJU player will be (Dixon or Keita).

Good off season diversionary material; Thanks as always Paultz![/quote]

The analysis estimates / projects the top 5 players from each team. Interesting that the Hall and Georgetown have 3 each from 50-41, DePaul 2, and Creighton and St. John’s 1 each.
Hoping Ponds, Simon,and Clark populate the list somewhere in the Top 10 - 20.
Maybe, they’ll include Heron on a ‘what-if’ eligible basis, and ‘guessing’ Dixon or Keita would be included somewhere 30 - 40, IF Heron is not eligible.
Or, they may just go with the roster ‘as-is’.
If they do that and ignore Heron’s potential (I think ‘likely’) eligibility, they expose their analysis to second-guessing.
At least on this Board!
We shall see.
 
Last edited:
[quote="Anthony Mattia" post=293220]The writer thinks we are going to start 4 guards? Possible, but I doubt it, although I would expect all of them to see significant playing time.[/quote]

Sir Dom, Jordan, Harrison, Greene, Obekpa. essentially 4 guards.

Really excited to see this kid play, especially after hearing Panther's assessment.
 
Last edited:
Beast of the East: Anthony Mattia wrote: The writer thinks we are going to start 4 guards? Possible, but I doubt it, although I would expect all of them to see significant playing time.

Sir Dom, Jordan, Harrison, Greene, Obekpa. essentially 4 guards.

Sir Dom was a bit of a freak (in the best sense of the word). Although at 6'5" or 6'6" his only chance of sticking in NBA was at off guard, his best days at SJU were as a senior when he either played power forward or center (in those games where Obekpa couldn't stay on the court for one reason or another). His great shot blocking and defensive intensity was best displayed at those positions and his ball handling and outside shooting weaknesses were not exposed as much. Loved watching him play that last year!
 
[quote="NCJohnnie" post=293528]Beast of the East: Anthony Mattia wrote: The writer thinks we are going to start 4 guards? Possible, but I doubt it, although I would expect all of them to see significant playing time.

Sir Dom, Jordan, Harrison, Greene, Obekpa. essentially 4 guards.

Sir Dom was a bit of a freak (in the best sense of the word). Although at 6'5" or 6'6" his only chance of sticking in NBA was at off guard, his best days at SJU were as a senior when he either played power forward or center (in those games where Obekpa couldn't stay on the court for one reason or another). His great shot blocking and defensive intensity was best displayed at those positions and his ball handling and outside shooting weaknesses were not exposed as much. Loved watching him play that last year![/quote]

If you remember, Lavin used him to run the break as a senior. I kind of thought of him as a Rodman (though much smaller) Ultimately may get a shot at pros as a disrupter defender, rebounder, shot blocker - IF his offense improves just enough to get him there. Probably not, but everyone needs a dream
 
Presumably Figueroa gets bumped from the Starting 5 if Heron is eligible . Essentially the Starters would be Ponds, Simon, Clarke , Keita and Heron , if he is eligible . Leaving Figueroa , Dixon, Trimble and the freshman coming in off the Bench . Just a side note to those who snipe at the transfers that have come here ... Figueroa , Heron will be huge upgrades over Owens and Yakwe . Losing Players because better players are coming in , is part of the game in College B.B. . It shouldn’t be a criticism of Mullin in losing either Owens or Yakwe at this point .. But, still expect the endless chatter to bemoan the loss of these 2 . It’s not a valid point any longer .
 
[quote="SLYFOXX1968" post=293534]Presumably Figueroa gets bumped from the Starting 5 if Heron is eligible . Essentially the Starters would be Ponds, Simon, Clarke , Keita and Heron , if he is eligible . Leaving Figueroa , Dixon, Trimble and the freshman coming in off the Bench . Just a side note to those who snipe at the transfers that have come here ... Figueroa , Heron will be huge upgrades over Owens and Yakwe . Losing Players because better players are coming in , is part of the game in College B.B. . It shouldn’t be a criticism of Mullin in losing either Owens or Yakwe at this point .. But, still expect the endless chatter to bemoan the loss of these 2 . It’s not a valid point any longer .[/quote]

Off the traditional lineup, with Heron eligible, yes Figgy would be 6th man, but I bet there’ll be many times CM plays a 4-guard lineup,with Ponds, Simon, Heron, and Figueroa wreaking havoc on slower / bigger teams.
It should be a fun season.
We shall see.
 
He shoots better than Simon plays D would not be surprised if he shares time with Simon and eventually get a star over him because of his offense
 
[quote="usguard" post=293745]He shoots better than Simon plays D would not be surprised if he shares time with Simon and eventually get a star over him because of his offense[/quote]

IMHO Simon is the most important player on the team because he can and does guard 1-3 and is athletic and disciplined on offense so that he does not disrupt it with the exception of his free throw shooting. Mentally he played near perfect basketball this past season. IF Figueroa is even close to Simon defensively and assuming what you say is true about shooting I would not consider these two as either/or. We need Simon to play.
 
[quote="usguard" post=293745]He shoots better than Simon plays D would not be surprised if he shares time with Simon and eventually get a star over him because of his offense[/quote]

I have not seen him play but I don't see him playing over Simon basically for the reasons Paul laid out in his post directly below yours.
 
[quote="Paul Massell" post=293746][quote="usguard" post=293745]He shoots better than Simon plays D would not be surprised if he shares time with Simon and eventually get a star over him because of his offense[/quote]

IMHO Simon is the most important player on the team because he can and does guard 1-3 and is athletic and disciplined on offense so that he does not disrupt it with the exception of his free throw shooting. Mentally he played near perfect basketball this past season. IF Figueroa is even close to Simon defensively and assuming what you say is true about shooting I would not consider these two as either/or. We need Simon to play.[/quote]

Love Simon. He can score 8 points and still be instrumental in a win with rebounds, assists, running the break, defense, steals. We haven't had a big sturdy guard that can run an offense. Those guys usually aren't in our grasp and end up in places like Arizona. I see Ponds as an annoyance who snares 7 rebounds and opposing coaches sneer at their players for "letting" him sneak in and do that. Simon on the other hand is a legitimate rebounding guard who has the length, strength and hops to rebound with the big fellas. I can see others spelling him, but not stealing his minutes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top