After Zach Brown‘s latest troubles, St. John’s could lose their top and only 2017 recruit. So, what’s next?
The St. John’s men’s basketball squad’s future took a big hit when their prized 2017 recruit big man Zach Brown was arrested again for robbing a Walgreens in Hollywood, Florida.This wasn’t the first time the 7-foot-1 Brown has gotten in trouble with the law. Prior to his commitment at St. John’s, Brown also ran into credit card fraud issues, along with other theft issues as well.
Brown’s future with the Red Storm now depends on a looming university decision. Based on his past and now recent troubles, it looks like St. John’s will lose next season’s recruit.
If so, it would be a big loss. St. John’s has struggled in their frontcourt play this season with their lack of depth and strength. Brown would’ve definitely helped out with his inside presence up the middle next season with his size and strength.
If Brown is released, where will the Red Storm go to improve their frontcourt?
There aren’t many options for the 2017 class, but St. John’s has been aggressively looking at stretch forward Derrick Walker. Walker is a three-star forward who is athletic and is a good rebounder who puts his size to good use to grab and finish offensive rebounds. That’s one of St. John’s biggest weakness so Walker would definitely help out.
Walker is scheduled to visit Madison Square Garden for the St. John’s-Xavier game on January 29. Along with St. John’s, Walker also listed Tennessee and Georgia as his favorites.
St. John’s could also look at the transfer market to add a big man. They have been looking at South Florida transfer Jahmal McMurray.
2018 will bring more big man options for St. John’s. They already have one commit in Boubacar Diakite. He is an explosive forward with an improving jump shot and is also listed as a three-star recruit.
Other options that St. John’s has already looked at and will keep looking at aggressively are Bol Bol, Moses Brown and Nazeron Reid.
Possibly losing Brown is devastating but character counts and despite his talents, St. John’s can’t deal with someone who could cause trouble and destroy their program’s reputation. We hope that he can get help and improve himself personally.
It could take a little longer than expected but all St. John’s needs is one skilled big man and they would be legit. They already have a great backcourt in freshmen Shamorie Ponds, Marcus Lovett and sophomore Malik Ellison.
They have the Big East’s leading shot blocker in Tariq Owens. They just need more depth to support him. Chris Mullin and his staff will aggressively do their best to accomplish it in other ways.
