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New York Post
Rick Pitino already sees St. John’s making big gains in two key areas
By Zach Braziller,
9 hours ago
Lateral quickness and lack of size — two shortcomings a season ago — shouldn’t be a problem this year for St. John’s.
Those were two qualities Rick Pitino brought up immediately when asked about his initial impressions of his new roster a month into summer workouts.
And that is without highly regarded Portuguese forward Ruben Prey and projected starting wing RJ Luis practicing yet.
Rick Pitino said this year’s St. John’s team is more athletic and bigger than last year’s squad. Michelle Farsi / New York Post
There are two 7-footers in USC transfer Vince Iwuchukwu and freshman Khaman Maker, and high-caliber athletes such as Utah transfer Deivon Smith, Seton Hall transfer Kadary Richmond and Aaron Scott of North Texas.
“This is the most talent I’ve had since [my] late Louisville days in terms of depth, athleticism, speed,” Pitino said after a workout Wednesday. “It’s terrific because every day it’s highly, highly competitive. … Physically, it’s much different [from last season]. We’re much faster, much taller.”
Rick Pitino gives some of the St. John’s big men some post-up instructions during the team’s summer practice. Michelle Farsi / New York Post
Wednesday, Pitino felt that honor belonged to rising sophomore Simeon Wilcher and Ejiofor.
“It’s talented, it’s very talented,” Pitino said of his roster. “Any time you can’t tell who your best player out of seven, eight guys, that’s impressive. Every single day, I can’t tell you who the best player is, and that’s impressive.”
Luis (shins) and four-star incoming freshman Jaiden Glover (wrist) are working their way back from injuries.
The duo are able to do non-contact work, but haven’t been cleared yet to fully practice.
Pitino expects them to be ready by September.
Prey, an international import, has yet to arrive as the forward from Portugal works on obtaining a student visa.
Rick Pitino at practice with St. John’s. Michelle Farsi/New York Post
That could happen in the coming weeks. Greek guard Lefteris Liotopoulos is playing with his country’s 19U national team in international competition and won’t arrive until September.
Daniss Jenkins, Chris Ledlum and Sean Conway, members of last year’s team, took part in Wednesday’s practice.
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