It looks like St. John’s Men’s Basketball will be filling all of its scholarships and possibly getting help this season.
Yesterday, the Red Storm received a verbal commitment from junior college forward Esahia Nyiwe, who had been enrolled at Texas Tech this summer.
It is still unclear if the 6-foot-10, 210-pounder will play this season. He would require a waiver to suit up, and St. John’s plans on pursuing clearance for Nyiwe to hit the court.
If the NCAA does not grant him a waiver, Nyiwe will join the team next semester in December, filling an empty scholarship slot.
Last season, Nyiwe had averaged 8.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 1.2 assists in 28 games with the Clarendon Bulldogs in Clarendon, Texas. He spent a post-graduate year at The-Skill-Factory Prep in Atlanta, Ga., and had attended high school in Omaha, Neb.
Nyiwe had numerous colleges vying for his hardwood services before committing to Texas Tech. But the Red Raiders had filled two roster spots, leaving the Ethiopian-born big man without a place on the team.
He had heard from schools such as Georgia, Jacksonville State, and Kennesaw State, but went with the Johnnies due to their fast-moving style of play and pressure defense, per sources.
— Jerry Del Priore