Twice as Nice
Jakarr Sampson had already committed to St. John's once before. It was fall of 2010 and he was in his senior season at Brewster Academy. At the time the ESPNU 100 forward was down to five schools and set to announce his decision on the ESPN network.
But all didn't go according to plan as Sampson ultimately returned to Brewster Academy for a post-graduate year after being one of three incoming freshmen at St. John's who failed to meet the criteria of the NCAA eligibility center.
Sampson decommitted shortly afterwards and went on to have a brilliant year for Brewster, leading the Bobcats to the National Prep Championship while being named both the MVP of the Prep Championships as well as the Most Outstanding Player in Class AAA of the NEPSAC.
Kansas and Providence were presumed to be the leaders in Sampson's recruitment with his list also including the likes of Baylor, Florida, Louisville, and St. John's.
St. John's head coach Steve Lavin followed Sampson quite a bit earlier in the season, but wasn't nearly as visible in recent months and so it came as a bit of a surprise when Sampson re-committed to the Johnnies on Wednesday night.
The commitment is an undeniably huge one for St. John's as Sampson is not only one of the best available players left on the market but also fit to make an instant impact in the Big East next season.
Jakarr Sampson