St. John’s lands Auburn transfer Keyshawn Hall in ceiling-raising move
St. John’s roller-coaster of an offseason has taken another turn — and this latest addition could significantly raise the ceiling for next season.
High-scoring Auburn forward Keyshawn Hall committed to Rick Pitino and the Johnnies on Tuesday, bolstering a frontcourt that lost a key piece when Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman suffered a torn Achilles tendon during summer workouts.
The 6-foot-7 Hall is currently waiting on his eligibility status. He is one of many fifth-year players that have sued the NCAA for an extra year after the governing body passed a new rule in June that allowed for players to play five seasons in as many years, but didn’t include last year’s seniors. Hall is part of a case in Ohio in which players won a preliminary injunction for the extra year. The NCAA appealed the ruling and won a stay on the order. A hearing for the appeal is set for Sept 22. The Cleveland, Ohio native was also linked to Kentucky, Indiana, SMU and Florida.
A roster spot opened up, when St. John’s learned that International recruit Djordije Jovanovic of Montenegro was unable to obtain a student visa. Jovanovic’s pro team, KK Buducnost VOLI, announced the news on Wednesday that he was returning to play for them next year after initially committing to join St. John’s. Hall is the second fifth-year player to pick Pitino’s team this week, after Indiana forward Reed Bailey committed on Tuesday.