In the final minute of St. John’s rout of Wagner on Wednesday night, as everyone was sitting down at the tail-end of the blowout victory, Simeon Wilcher was locked in.
Freshman Jaiden Glover was at the free-throw line and Wilcher was intently watching.
When Glover scored the first college points of his career, Wilcher celebrated from the sideline.
“I’ve known him for a while. He was on my team in high school,” the sophomore said. “Just seeing him getting his first college points was exciting for me, especially because I know how important that was for him.”
in the second half against the Fordham Rams at Carnesecca
Arena on Nov. 4. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Wilcher knows exactly what Glover is going through as a highly regarded recruit waiting for his time to come.
He experienced it himself last year, spending the season mostly learning and watching rather than playing.
Now he’s a starter and a key part of this St. John’s team.
“Trying to let him know, you can’t rush it. Especially with Coach [Rick Pitino], he has his way of coaching,” Wilcher said. “That’s what we came here for. We came here to get better. Like last year, I was able to learn a lot. I make sure to let him know it’s important to make sure you keep working at your game so you keep your confidence up. He does that. Every day in practice he does great.
“You don’t know when your number is going to be called. You can not play in two or three games and that third game you can get called on five minutes into the game. So you just got to be ready.”
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at St. John’s University in Queens, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Nelly Junior Joseph never got a chance to play at the Garden in his two years at Iona University, so Sunday will be a first when the New Mexico forward faces his former coach, Rick Pitino.
“Oh my God, I’m so excited. I can’t wait to play against him,” Junior Joseph said.
Asked which Pitino, Rick or his son Richard, he would rather play for, Junior Joseph declined to pick.
“I would play for both,” he said. “Coach Richard is just like his dad. He’s going to push you to your limit. He’s going to always push you in practice, be hard on you. They are both the same.”
Rick Pitino was told about the 6-foot-10 Junior Joseph by former Louisville star Gorgui Dieng, who got to know Junior Joseph while working with NBA Academy Africa in Senegal.
Junior Joseph was named the MAAC Rookie of the Year as a freshman and helped Iona reach the NCAA Tournament as a junior.
Last season at New Mexico in 36 starts, Junior Joseph averaged 8.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.
“Richard’s done a fabulous job developing Nelly into one of the premier big men in the country,” Rick said.
