St. John's University Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: St. John’s Men’s Basketball vs. Holy Cross
St. John’s Head Coach Rick Pitino, RJ Luis Jr. and Simeon Wilcher spoke with the media following a 91-45 win over Holy Cross at Carnesecca Arena on Saturday
St. John’s Head Coach Rick Pitino
Opening Statement …
“When it was 20-20, I liked how we stayed with our game plan. We said we are going to have our run, don’t panic. When you have the lead, play fundamental basketball, which we did do. We made a point of emphasis all week long not to turn the ball over and we really only had seven turnovers in the game, excluding the one we took at the very end. That’s the way you must play basketball. I really thought [Simeon Wilcher] did a very good job offensively but did a great job defensively. He was active with his hands, very good at finding open people. I thought he was terrific. [RJ Luis Jr.] is just getting back into the groove. He is one of the more gifted players that I’ve coached, because he does so many different things. He is a shot blocker, great ball handler, great playmaker, great scorer. He is a very good rebounder. He is just coming into his own, but he is a very talented young man, who is a great teammate and only great things are going to happen for him going forward.”
On RJ Luis Jr.’s return …
“RJ had to go out there tonight and play [power forward]. Not only has he not practiced much, but he has not played the four much. We want to play him at the four and the three and the two. He is a point-forward. It’s difficult on him learning all the sets at the four. He really only made one mistake the whole night, but outside of that he really picked everything up. He is a natural and a terrific young man.”
On Kevin Durant at tonight’s game…
“It’s a great honor for St. John’s. Kevin has a lot to do and there’s a lot of people he knows in New York. Him and his agent, Rich Kleiman, who is a great friend of our program, I wanted to thank them and we are very honored to have both of them here. … For all of us, [Kevin Durant] is one of the great players in the history of the game. I’ve said this all along, he is a top five player in the history of the game. One of the great offensive, [6’11”] guys of all time. I don’t know if there is a better [6’11”] guy in the game and that’s how good he is. I’ve always told everyone that and have said it for years. We are very honored.”
On the team’s depth …
“I’m not afraid to play any of those guys. I thought Drissa [Traore] played terrific tonight. All these guys are still learning. I told Daniss Jenkins, who played for me at Iona, that they were going to trap him, and he immediately threw the ball into the stands. The next time, he used his pivot and created a great assist. It’s great for Simeon to learn behind Daniss because he is the heir to that position. RJ is going to play multiple positions. If we are in a war with West Virginia, I have no problem putting Simeon or Brady in the game at any time. Brady played really good defense tonight. They all played really good defense. They all rooted for each other. It was great.”
St. John’s guard Simeon Wilcher
On getting to play an extended amount of time…
“I would say it was amazing. I just really trust the process because it’s just the beginning. I don’t really worry about how much I’m playing right now because it’s Coach [Pitino]. He’s been doing this for 45 years and he knows more than anybody. I’m just really trusting him. I’m just happy that he believes in me enough to put me out there today.”
On Kevin Durant attending tonight’s game…
“It means a lot. KD has been my favorite player since I started watching basketball. It’s an honor to have him come to our games because we sit down and watch him play all the time. … It’s just a memory that will stick with me forever.”
St. John’s guard RJ Luis Jr.
On returning from injury…
“First and foremost, I want to thank God for allowing me back on the court. Like Coach Pitino said, it’s been a long seven weeks. It has its pros and cons. It allowed me to sit out of practice, learn my teammates’ tendencies, learn the system, and really gave me an outside view of how Coach P wants us playing. I just got my feet wet tonight and will just keep on improving.”
On Kevin Durant attending tonight’s game…
“It was pretty cool seeing him on the sidelines. You try not to pay too much attention during the game, but it’s an inspiration. He is playing where Simeon and I are trying to get to at the next level. It was just good that he came and supported us.”
Opening Statement …
“When it was 20-20, I liked how we stayed with our game plan. We said we are going to have our run, don’t panic. When you have the lead, play fundamental basketball, which we did do. We made a point of emphasis all week long not to turn the ball over and we really only had seven turnovers in the game, excluding the one we took at the very end. That’s the way you must play basketball. I really thought [Simeon Wilcher] did a very good job offensively but did a great job defensively. He was active with his hands, very good at finding open people. I thought he was terrific. [RJ Luis Jr.] is just getting back into the groove. He is one of the more gifted players that I’ve coached, because he does so many different things. He is a shot blocker, great ball handler, great playmaker, great scorer. He is a very good rebounder. He is just coming into his own, but he is a very talented young man, who is a great teammate and only great things are going to happen for him going forward.”
On RJ Luis Jr.’s return …
“RJ had to go out there tonight and play [power forward]. Not only has he not practiced much, but he has not played the four much. We want to play him at the four and the three and the two. He is a point-forward. It’s difficult on him learning all the sets at the four. He really only made one mistake the whole night, but outside of that he really picked everything up. He is a natural and a terrific young man.”
On Kevin Durant at tonight’s game…
“It’s a great honor for St. John’s. Kevin has a lot to do and there’s a lot of people he knows in New York. Him and his agent, Rich Kleiman, who is a great friend of our program, I wanted to thank them and we are very honored to have both of them here. … For all of us, [Kevin Durant] is one of the great players in the history of the game. I’ve said this all along, he is a top five player in the history of the game. One of the great offensive, [6’11”] guys of all time. I don’t know if there is a better [6’11”] guy in the game and that’s how good he is. I’ve always told everyone that and have said it for years. We are very honored.”
On the team’s depth …
“I’m not afraid to play any of those guys. I thought Drissa [Traore] played terrific tonight. All these guys are still learning. I told Daniss Jenkins, who played for me at Iona, that they were going to trap him, and he immediately threw the ball into the stands. The next time, he used his pivot and created a great assist. It’s great for Simeon to learn behind Daniss because he is the heir to that position. RJ is going to play multiple positions. If we are in a war with West Virginia, I have no problem putting Simeon or Brady in the game at any time. Brady played really good defense tonight. They all played really good defense. They all rooted for each other. It was great.”
St. John’s guard Simeon Wilcher
On getting to play an extended amount of time…
“I would say it was amazing. I just really trust the process because it’s just the beginning. I don’t really worry about how much I’m playing right now because it’s Coach [Pitino]. He’s been doing this for 45 years and he knows more than anybody. I’m just really trusting him. I’m just happy that he believes in me enough to put me out there today.”
On Kevin Durant attending tonight’s game…
“It means a lot. KD has been my favorite player since I started watching basketball. It’s an honor to have him come to our games because we sit down and watch him play all the time. … It’s just a memory that will stick with me forever.”
St. John’s guard RJ Luis Jr.
On returning from injury…
“First and foremost, I want to thank God for allowing me back on the court. Like Coach Pitino said, it’s been a long seven weeks. It has its pros and cons. It allowed me to sit out of practice, learn my teammates’ tendencies, learn the system, and really gave me an outside view of how Coach P wants us playing. I just got my feet wet tonight and will just keep on improving.”
On Kevin Durant attending tonight’s game…
“It was pretty cool seeing him on the sidelines. You try not to pay too much attention during the game, but it’s an inspiration. He is playing where Simeon and I are trying to get to at the next level. It was just good that he came and supported us.”