Former St. John’s standout Justin Burrell has signed a contract with the Yokohama B-Corsairs outside of Tokyo and will head to Japan the first week of September.
The 6-foot-9 Burrell averaged 6.3 points and 3.9 boards last season.
“Justin’s dominating physical style of play in the basket area at both ends of the court was key to our success this past season. He has been a great ambassador of St. John’s basketball on our campus and in the community,” Johnnies coach Steve Lavin said. “He will have a terrific experience overseas. Justin has helped us greatly in recruiting future Johnnies, and the St. John’s family is pleased that he has received this well-deserved opportunity to play professional basketball.”
“I am extra excited. I can’t wait to be in a new country and a new city and begin a new chapter in my life.” said Burrell, who graduated in May with a degree in Communications. “I will never forget St. John’s and the opportunities it gave me and the people I’ve met. I can’t wait to see St. John’s back on top of the nation’s elite. This past year was an important step, I know everyone will always remember what we accomplished to get everything rolling again.”
Yokohama, one of four expansion franchises in the B.J. League, Japan’s second division, is located in the Kanagawa Prefecture on Tokyo Bay. One of four Americans who will play for the B-Corsairs, Burrell will live in downtown Yokohama and will be coached by American Reggie Geary, who starred at Arizona before a two-year stint in the NBA, playing for Cleveland and San Antonio. Burrell and the B-Corsairs will begin their season on Oct. 8 and play through March or April, depending on a postseason run.
In mid-July, Paris Horne signed to play for BG Gottingen, a member of the German Bundesliga, the premier basketball association in that nation. Dwight Hardy, a 2011 Associated Press All-American, a first team All-Big East selection and the conference’s Most Improved Player, signed a professional contract with Pistoia Basket in the Tuscany region of Italy in late July.
