Mustapha Heron Granted Eligiblity for St. John's

Jamaica, NY—The news that fans have been waiting for all summer long, has become a reality this morning, as Auburn transfer Mustapha Heron has been granted his eligibility waiver to play for the St. John’s Red Storm this season.

The NCAA has allowed the Connecticut native play closer to home due to his mother, Talia, who has been suffering from severe health issues.

Red Storm basketball could possibly have their best roster since the 2000 season during the Fran Fraschilla era, when the Johnnies won the Big East Tournament that year. The last time they saw the NCAA tournament? 2014-15 under then head coach Steve Lavin. Not once has Chris Mullin’s team made the big dance.

“I’m incredibly thankful that the NCAA has decided to allow me to play right away closer to home. I would also like to thank all of the staff at St. John’s who fought to make this a possibility for me and my family,” said Heron.

The Johnnies could have a brand new one-two punch with potential Big East preseason player of the year in Shamorie Ponds and former AAU teammate, and now current collegiate teammate Mustapha Heron.

Potential Starting Five for St. John’s with Heron

G- Shamorie Ponds

G- Mustapha Heron

G- Justin Simon

F- L.J. Figueroa

F- Marvin Clark II

Chris Mullin told the St. John’s athletic’s office, “We’re very grateful for the NCAA’ decision to grant Mustapha a legislative relief waiver. It is important for Mustapha [Heron] to be close to his family during this difficult time, so providing him the opportunity to play immediately will be a great benefit as he continues to pursuit his personal goals. He is a high character young man with loads of talent who will now be able to showcase it on the highest stage.”

Mustapha Heron, a junior who transferred from the SEC and the Auburn Tigers most notably, will now be in New York City playing in the Big East against the defending national champions twice this season, and will be trying to prove to some doubters that St. John’s is the team to beat in the Big East and in the Tri-State area. Mustapha, has already obtained the 1,000 point plateau down south, and earned the Associated Press’s Second Team All-SEC honors, as the SEC Regular Season Champions. Averaging 16.4 points-per-game, 5.3 boards, and 1.2 steals per game, this man looks to fit right in with a defense on the rise for the Johnnies.

November 6th cannot come soon enough as Loyola Maryland pays a visit to Carnesecca Arena and the revamped St. John’s Red Storm offense at 6:30pm on November 6th.