https://nypost.com/2018/11/19/st-johns-solves-point-guard-problem-with-first-of-2019-recruits/
St John’s ’s had a gaping hole at point guard. Cameron Mack loved the idea of playing college basketball in New York City and calling Madison Square Garden home.
The fit made perfect sense for both parties, and it came to fruition Monday morning.
The highly regarded junior college guard from Salt Lake Community College in Utah committed and signed a National Letter of Intent during his official visit, becoming the first member of coach Chris Mullin’s 2019 recruiting class. He has three years of eligibility remaining.
“It’s an awesome opportunity to play for New York’s college basketball team. The Garden is a crazy opportunity just to have. This is the biggest market in the world,” the 6-foot-2 Texan said in a phone interview. “A lot of people wish they can come play in New York. I’m just blessed to have the opportunity and I’m going to take it and run with it.”
The plan is for Mack to step in for Shamorie Ponds, expected to leave for the NBA after his junior season, and be the Johnnies’ point guard next year. That was part of the recruiting pitch. Citing his strong relationship with assistant coach Matt Abdelmassih and the pedigree of Mullin and assistant coach Mitch Richmond, Mack felt comfortable with the Queens school.
They have guards going to the NBA, so I know I’ll be able to come in and play,” he said.
Mack, who was planning to attend St. John’s game Monday night against California at Barclays Center, recently took an official visit to Washington State and was planning to take more. Gonzaga, Texas Tech, Utah, Missouri, West Virginia and Colorado were among the schools recruiting him. But after this weekend in New York City, he didn’t feel the need to explore any other options
Mack’s coach, Todd Phillips, was surprised he committed so early, because of how many options he would’ve had if he waited. Virtually the entire Pac-12 had called about Mack, who is averaging 20.6 points, 8.8 assists and 5.2 rebounds early on this year.
“More and more schools started to pour in on him,” Phillips said. “[St. John’s] kind of got in early on him and worked really hard.”
Mack credited current St. John’s forward L.J. Figueroa, a junior college standout like himself, in part with his comfort level. The two friends spoke once the Johnnies began recruiting Mack early in the fall, and Figueroa convinced him to visit.
An Austin, Texas, native, Mack was initially enrolled at Stephen F. Austin, but left after one semester after not appearing in a game. He said he butted heads with coach Kyle Keller. Before bringing Mack in, Phillips said he spoke to coaches at Stephen F. Austin, and they had nothing negative to say about Mack, other than it just did not work out.
“He’s what everybody’s looking for. Not only can get he get his own, he can see the floor. He’s not a guy that’s all about points,” Phillips said. “I think he’s an elite point guard. He can really get to the basket, very explosive, athletic, great first step. He just goes by guys. He’s probably one of the two best point guards in the country at junior college.”
St John’s ’s had a gaping hole at point guard. Cameron Mack loved the idea of playing college basketball in New York City and calling Madison Square Garden home.
The fit made perfect sense for both parties, and it came to fruition Monday morning.
The highly regarded junior college guard from Salt Lake Community College in Utah committed and signed a National Letter of Intent during his official visit, becoming the first member of coach Chris Mullin’s 2019 recruiting class. He has three years of eligibility remaining.
“It’s an awesome opportunity to play for New York’s college basketball team. The Garden is a crazy opportunity just to have. This is the biggest market in the world,” the 6-foot-2 Texan said in a phone interview. “A lot of people wish they can come play in New York. I’m just blessed to have the opportunity and I’m going to take it and run with it.”
The plan is for Mack to step in for Shamorie Ponds, expected to leave for the NBA after his junior season, and be the Johnnies’ point guard next year. That was part of the recruiting pitch. Citing his strong relationship with assistant coach Matt Abdelmassih and the pedigree of Mullin and assistant coach Mitch Richmond, Mack felt comfortable with the Queens school.
They have guards going to the NBA, so I know I’ll be able to come in and play,” he said.
Mack, who was planning to attend St. John’s game Monday night against California at Barclays Center, recently took an official visit to Washington State and was planning to take more. Gonzaga, Texas Tech, Utah, Missouri, West Virginia and Colorado were among the schools recruiting him. But after this weekend in New York City, he didn’t feel the need to explore any other options
Mack’s coach, Todd Phillips, was surprised he committed so early, because of how many options he would’ve had if he waited. Virtually the entire Pac-12 had called about Mack, who is averaging 20.6 points, 8.8 assists and 5.2 rebounds early on this year.
“More and more schools started to pour in on him,” Phillips said. “[St. John’s] kind of got in early on him and worked really hard.”
Mack credited current St. John’s forward L.J. Figueroa, a junior college standout like himself, in part with his comfort level. The two friends spoke once the Johnnies began recruiting Mack early in the fall, and Figueroa convinced him to visit.
An Austin, Texas, native, Mack was initially enrolled at Stephen F. Austin, but left after one semester after not appearing in a game. He said he butted heads with coach Kyle Keller. Before bringing Mack in, Phillips said he spoke to coaches at Stephen F. Austin, and they had nothing negative to say about Mack, other than it just did not work out.
“He’s what everybody’s looking for. Not only can get he get his own, he can see the floor. He’s not a guy that’s all about points,” Phillips said. “I think he’s an elite point guard. He can really get to the basket, very explosive, athletic, great first step. He just goes by guys. He’s probably one of the two best point guards in the country at junior college.”
Last edited by a moderator:
