St. John’s landed a commitment on Saturday from Sidney Wilson, a 6-foot-7 wing from The Bronx who spent last season at prep power Brewster (N.H.) Academy after transferring from St. Raymond’s High School.
Wilson chose the Red Storm over UConn and Texas. He visited St. John’s and UConn last week and was slated to visit Texas at the end of the month.
The No. 19 small forward in the Class of 2017 per 247Sports.com, Wilson averaged 17.2 points and 5.3 rebounds last season for a Brewster team that went 33-0 and won the NEPSAC Class AAA championship and the National Prep Championship.
“Our vision for the future success of this program relies heavily on keeping top local talent at home,” said St. John’s head coach Chris Mullin. “The addition of Sidney Wilson to our roster for the upcoming season bodes well not only for the future of St. John’s, but also for basketball as a whole in this city.
“Sidney is an explosive player with great athleticism who can excel in our style of play,” Mullin added.
Previously starring at St. Raymond in the Bronx, Wilson scored more than 1,000 points in his first three years of high school ball playing for head coach Jorge Lopez. Wilson was named First Team All-CHSAA (Catholic High School Athletic Association) as a junior in 2015-16, leading the Ravens with 17 points per game. As a sophomore, Wilson posted 14 points and nine rebounds per outing in 2014-15 and was named Second Team All-CHSAA.
Wilson was a member of the New Heights AAU program, which participates in the Under Armour Association circuit, playing for head coach Rahme Anderson. During the summer of 2016, he averaged 17 points and six rebounds per contest while leading New Heights to the UAA Finals and an 8-4 record. Wilson was also invited to several prestigious camps in 2016, including the Pangos All-American Camp in Norwalk, Calif., Under Armour All-American Camp in Charlotte, N.C. and the Under Armour Elite 24 showcase in Brooklyn.
“There’s no place like home,” said Wilson. “St. John’s and New York City is home to me. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play at The Garden and for my city.
“Sid is a tremendously talented hybrid-forward who possesses elite-level athleticism,” Brewster coach Jason Smith told ZAGSBLOG. “He has outstanding length and is much improved as a 3-point shooter.