By JOSH NEWMAN
Another major piece of the Steve Lavin era at St. John’s is gone.
Nineteen days after it was announced that Rysheed Jordan will pursue a professional career, St. John’s announced Wednesday afternoon that senior shot-blocking specialist Chris Obekpa will transfer for his final season of eligibility.
“It was a great three years of growing here at St. John’s,” Obekpa said in a statement. “I am forever grateful for the friends and family I have met during my time here. Much gratitude goes out to my coaches, teammates, professors and administrators for all of their love and support over the past three years.”
“We respect Chris’ decision and wish him well in his future endeavors,” St. John’s head coach Chris Mullin said in the statement.
Per NCAA transfer rules, Obekpa will need to sit out 2015-16 before becoming eligible for his final year in 2016-17.
As it turns out, Obekpa’s St. John’s career came to an end in the 2015 Big East Tournament. On Selection Sunday, just hours before the Red Storm were chosen for their first Big East Tournament since 2011, Obekpa was suspended by Lavin for a violation of team rules. Sources at the time told SNY.tv that the suspension was related to a failed drug test. St. John’s wound up losing in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to San Diego State.
This is the second time Obekpa is leaving St. John’s. On April 3, 2014, the school announced Obekpa had been granted his release following his sophomore season, but it was announced 15 days later he would return as a junior.
Obekpa played in 95 games during his career with the Red Storm, averaging 4.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-9 center from Makurdi, Nigeria, led the Big East in blocked shots three straight years and holds the program’s career (321), single-season (133) and single-game (11) blocks records.
Obekpa made 30 appearances last season posting 5.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.2 rejections per game.
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