Per Zach Braziller of the New York Post, St. John’s Red Storm center Chris Obekpa will return to the team for his senior season.
Obekpa, who stands 6-foot-10 and weighs 240 pounds, was averaging 5.8 points and seven rebounds per game while also leading the Big East in blocked shots before being suspended following a positive test for marijuana.
As a result, he missed the Red Storm’s NCAA tournament game against the San Diego State Aztecs, which St. John’s lost 76-64.
Shortly after, head coach Steve Lavin was let go.
Obekpa now has the opportunity to redeem himself. St. John’s recently hired former player and Basketball Hall of Famer Chris Mullin to succeed Lavin, and he will need a strong defender in Obekpa to keep the team in contention in the ever-tough Big East.
St. John’s is also losing key players in seniors Jamal Branch, Sir’Dominic Pointer and D’Angelo Harrison, and the uncertain status of recruit Brandon Sampson despite his verbal commitment to the school makes Obekpa all the more important.
Hopefully, his suspension was a learning experience and he will return to the team next year with his eyes forward and ready to be the best he can be.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
