By ADAM ZAGORIA
UNION, N.J. — St. John’s views Precious Achiuwa as the final piece to its 2019 recruiting class that currently includes several transfers.
So Chris Mullin and assistants Mitch Richmond and Greg St. Jean sat courtside Friday night at Kean University as Achiuwa went for 13 points and 6 rebounds, including at least one rim-rattling dunk, as Montverde Academy, No. 4 in the USA Today poll, destroyed No. 11 Ranney, 89-51, before a capacity crowd.
Achiuwa was one of three McDonald’s All-Americans honored before the game, along with Villanova-bound Bryan Antoine and Florida signee Scottie Lewis of Ranney.
“I’ve known those guys a pretty long time, we’re pretty much from the same area,” the 6-foot-9 Achiuwa told me after the game. “I’ve been playing against them since eighth grade and I think it’s great seeing the same guys from when we’re really young and we somewhat achieved our dream of making the McDonald’s All-American Game.”
The game was a homecoming for both Achiuwa and Montverde coach Kevin Boyle, who won five New Jersey Tournament of Champions titles at St. Patrick High School, where he coached players like Kyrie Irving, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Dakari Johnson and Al Harrington.
“I’m pretty much from New York so it also feels good for me to come back and get a win in this city,” added Achiuwa, who spent five years in The Bronx and attended St. Benedict’s Prep before transferring last summer to Montverde. “I went to school here and I know a lot of people from New York/New Jersey so it feels godod to come back and win.”
Chris Mullin and the @StJohnsBBall staff is here at the @MetroClassic for @PreciousAchiuwa pic.twitter.com/px8uFMzvX4
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) February 9, 2019
Achiuwa, whose older brother, God’sgift Achiuwa, played for former St. John’s coach Steve Lavin, but Precious has said that won’t necessarily impact his own decision. North Carolina, UConn and Kansas are among those also involved.
He did notice Mullin and the staff sitting courtside. (Assistant Matt Abdelmassih was also on hand for the early game featuring Class of 2021 wing Jonathan Kuminga of Our Saviour New American.)
“Yeah, I did,” Achiuwa said. “It just shows their commitment and how much interest they show towards me as a player. It depends. There’s a lot that goes into it, I don’t know what to say.”
He added: “[My brother] has nothing to do with my decision, it depends on what’s the right fit for me. Me and my brother, we don’t have to take the same path. It’s just what’s the right fit and wherever I can go to get my game better and hopefully take it to the next level.”
Speaking generally about his recruiting approach, Mullin said Thursday that recruiting was about finding the right fit for both the player and the school he chooses.
After Saturday’s game against Roselle Catholic, Montverde will have about two months off before the GEICO High School Nationals at Christ the King in April. Achiuwa plans to take some officials then.
“Yeah, I’m going to take a couple visits between now and GEICO,” he said. “Those visits have not been set, I don’t know where I’m visiting so I have to sit with my family about where and when we’re going to take those visits.”
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