RJ Luis is taking part in his means into consideration for Huge East Participant of the 12 months honors.
The dynamic 6-foot-7 wing was named the league’s Participant of the Week after main ninth-ranked St. John’s to victories over No. 18 Marquette and Connecticut.
The front-runners are Creighton heart Ryan Kalkbrenner and Marquette guard Kam Jones, however the most effective participant on the most effective staff usually wins the award, and St. John’s sits on their own atop the convention.
The latest St. John’s participant to win the award was Walter Berry in 1986.
“I’m simply blessed to be in that dialog,” Luis stated over Zoom on Tuesday, as St. John’s ready to face Villanova on Wednesday. “So long as we preserve successful, I really feel like we’ll see what occurs. However I’m undoubtedly excited as a result of I do know I’m in rivalry for it, in order that’s one thing I’m undoubtedly attempting to go for. However particularly, I’m simply attempting to win the regular-season convention championship, the Huge East title and go dancing in March.”
In convention play, Luis is fourth in scoring (18.3) and rebounding (7.2), ninth in offensive rebounds per recreation (2.2), eleventh in free-throw proportion (73.6), and twelfth in discipline purpose proportion (43.4).
He has additionally emerged as a powerful defender who can guard a number of completely different positions.
Luis has taken a serious leap this 12 months after accidents sidetracked him final season, when he was not often in a position to observe.
Final spring, he underwent surgical procedure to restore shin splints in each legs.
“I feel I put in a variety of work. I’m lastly wholesome. The shins aren’t bothering me,” he stated. “After the wins and our success, the factor I’m most completely satisfied about is, day by day I get up, I contact my shins and so they don’t damage. They really feel actually good.”
CHECK OUT THE LATEST BIG EAST STANDINGS AND ST. JOHN’S STATS
Just a few weeks in the past, coach Rick Pitino stated he anticipated Luis to go professional after this season.
Pitino has taken a step again from that considerably, saying Luis will take a look at the waters and see the place he stands.
St. John’s main scorer isn’t fascinated by the longer term in the mean time.
“My major focus proper now could be school, representing the St. John’s that I’ve on the entrance of my chest, attempting to placed on for New York Metropolis,” Luis stated. “As soon as the season ends, we’ll get to that.”
Senior level guard Deivon Smith missed observe for a second consecutive day with a sore neck and is uncertain to play towards Villanova, in accordance with Pitino.
Smith has additionally been coping with a bruised proper shoulder he suffered within the first Villanova contest on Jan. 11.
This could be the fourth recreation he has missed because the preliminary damage. Smith damage his neck in observe on Sunday.
Assistant coach Van Macon’s well being is enhancing and he might return to the bench quickly, he advised The Put up. Macon not too long ago had a coronary heart process.