New St. John’s coach Chris Mullin and his staff didn’t wallow in their first major recruiting loss.
Less than 24 hours after losing Brandon Sampson to LSU, they landed what could be a useful piece for the upcoming season in Missouri State transfer Ron M’Vouika, a sharpshooting 6-foot-6 guard/wing combo originally from France who picked the Johnnies over Weber State.
M’Vouika only appeared in two games last season because of a bulging disk in his back, but two years ago he averaged 6.8 points and 3.6 rebounds and shot 39 percent from 3-point range in 18.2 minutes per game. M’Vouika is a graduate transfer who is eligible immediately. His transfer was very low-key, which is why very few schools were in on him.
“It’s an honor,” he said in a phone interview of joining St. John’s. “I feel like it’s a lifetime opportunity that doesn’t really happen to a lot of players. To play under a Hall of Famer like Chris Mullin in the biggest city in the world, biggest stage in the world, that’s a dream of every basketball player. That’s something you can’t turn down.”
M’Vouika is the fourth recruit the new staff has landed, joining junior college transfer Darien Williams, 6-foot-11 big man Yankuba Sima and Tennessee transfer Tariq Owens, who has sit out this coming season.
M’Vouika underwent back surgery in February and said his recovery is progressing well. He is doing basketball activities, working out and expects to be fully cleared in the next month.
“I’m pain-free,” he said. “Now I’m getting my strength back.”
While M’Vouika is known for his shooting prowess, he played point guard growing up in Europe and as a high school senior at powerhouse Huntington Prep in West Virginia, so he can handle the ball. His competitiveness and toughness is his best asset.
“I’m a fighter,” he said.
St. John’s is far from done. Mullin and assistant coach Matt Abdelassih met Tuesday with Pervis Ellison, the former NBA star and father of three-star New Jersey guard Malik Ellison.
He is a prime target, along with Chicago four-star point guard Marcus LoVett Jr., who recently tweeted St. John’s is at the top of his list. Italian guard Federico Mussini, who recently visited the Red Storm, is also a priority.
St. John’s remains in the mix for consensus top-10 recruit Cheick Diallo, who is also considering Kentucky, Kansas, Iowa State and Pittsburgh.
Filed under Chris Mullin , ron m'vouika , St. John's Red Storm .
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Less than 24 hours after losing Brandon Sampson to LSU, they landed what could be a useful piece for the upcoming season in Missouri State transfer Ron M’Vouika, a sharpshooting 6-foot-6 guard/wing combo originally from France who picked the Johnnies over Weber State.
M’Vouika only appeared in two games last season because of a bulging disk in his back, but two years ago he averaged 6.8 points and 3.6 rebounds and shot 39 percent from 3-point range in 18.2 minutes per game. M’Vouika is a graduate transfer who is eligible immediately. His transfer was very low-key, which is why very few schools were in on him.
“It’s an honor,” he said in a phone interview of joining St. John’s. “I feel like it’s a lifetime opportunity that doesn’t really happen to a lot of players. To play under a Hall of Famer like Chris Mullin in the biggest city in the world, biggest stage in the world, that’s a dream of every basketball player. That’s something you can’t turn down.”
M’Vouika is the fourth recruit the new staff has landed, joining junior college transfer Darien Williams, 6-foot-11 big man Yankuba Sima and Tennessee transfer Tariq Owens, who has sit out this coming season.
M’Vouika underwent back surgery in February and said his recovery is progressing well. He is doing basketball activities, working out and expects to be fully cleared in the next month.
“I’m pain-free,” he said. “Now I’m getting my strength back.”
While M’Vouika is known for his shooting prowess, he played point guard growing up in Europe and as a high school senior at powerhouse Huntington Prep in West Virginia, so he can handle the ball. His competitiveness and toughness is his best asset.
“I’m a fighter,” he said.
St. John’s is far from done. Mullin and assistant coach Matt Abdelassih met Tuesday with Pervis Ellison, the former NBA star and father of three-star New Jersey guard Malik Ellison.
He is a prime target, along with Chicago four-star point guard Marcus LoVett Jr., who recently tweeted St. John’s is at the top of his list. Italian guard Federico Mussini, who recently visited the Red Storm, is also a priority.
St. John’s remains in the mix for consensus top-10 recruit Cheick Diallo, who is also considering Kentucky, Kansas, Iowa State and Pittsburgh.
Filed under Chris Mullin , ron m'vouika , St. John's Red Storm .
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Read Next:
St. John's suffers first setback under Chris Mullin
