St. John’s ahead Bryce Hopkins heard boos all through Saturday afternoon’s sport at Madison Sq. Backyard.
Not from the St. John’s trustworthy, however relatively from a large contingent of Windfall followers who made their emotions recognized towards their staff’s former star.
Saturday afternoon’s 77-71 loss to Windfall marked Hopkins’ first time dealing with the Friars since he transferred to St. John’s final offseason.
Hopkins completed with 9 factors on 3-of-13 taking pictures and 10 rebounds in 27 minutes.
“I took my matchup personal, and I feel like I did great,” stated Friars freshman ahead Jamier Jones, who guarded Hopkins on Saturday.
Hopkins spent the earlier three seasons at Windfall, and he was named to the All-Huge East first staff in 2022-23.
However Hopkins tore the ACL in his left knee in January 2024, which ended his junior season after 14 video games. He then appeared in solely three video games final season earlier than he was shut down with a bone bruise in the identical knee.
Hopkins’ departure for a Huge East rival turned a sore spot for Windfall followers, whereas Jones has been a part of the Friars’ resolution for changing his manufacturing.
Jones completed 15 factors and 10 rebounds in Saturday’s win.
Requested why he took the Hopkins defensive project personally, Jones replied, “Him being here last year, and I feel like if he was here this year, I should still play over him.”
Hopkins is averaging 13.1 factors and 5.1 rebounds per sport this season. St. John’s is about to go to Windfall on Feb. 14.
IN-HOUSE SOLUTION
St. John’s won’t make an in-season addition to its roster to unravel its level guard downside.
“I won’t revisit it,” head coach Rick Pitino stated after Saturday’s loss. “We’ll shoulder it. And by the way, the guys I was looking at, I didn’t think were that good. … We’ll stick with what we have and hopefully get better.”
Pitino’s feedback comply with Baylor’s controversial latest signing of heart James Nnaji, a world participant whom the Detroit Pistons chosen with the No. 31 decide within the 2023 NBA Draft.
Nnaji’s draft rights have been later despatched to the Charlotte Hornets, after which to the Knicks within the three-team Karl-Anthony Cities commerce. However Nnaji has by no means appeared in an NBA sport, sustaining his NCAA eligibility.
