Emmy Andujar didn’t take any classes this summer, but the versatile Manhattan College forward’s summer has been a learning experience nonetheless.
The Rice graduate and Bronx product has spent much of June and July playing with the Puerto Rican National Team. By far its youngest player, Andujar said his veteran teammates taught him a lot, particularly the mental side of the game.
“The older guys on the team, they’ve been through [everything], they’ve been out of college six or seven years,” the rising junior told The Rumble’s Zach Braziller. “They already know what it takes. It felt good, because at Manhattan I have to lead always. Coming on this team, I was the underdog, the rookie, they had to lead me. It had to be the one to listen instead of talking.
“It’s going to help me become more of a leader on and off the court, knowing what to tell my guys before and after games, just being that glue guy for my team.”
Andujar, whose mother is from Puerto Rico, played with the 18-and-under team in high school and was invited to tryout in June. He made the team and went to China with the squad for three weeks for the 2013 Stankovic Cup, which included scores of professional standouts overseas and former NBA players. Puerto Rico finished fourth out of six teams, going 2-3.
As part of the trip to China, the team visited group homes, met with children and went sightseeing. They were also mobbed, asked for autographs and to pose for pictures, when wearing their Puerto Rico shirts.
“It’s crazy how packed the street is and how everyone noticed us and showed us a lot of love,” Andujar said.
Andujar said he thinks the experience will pay off, using the lessons he learned and bringing them with him to Riverdale this season. He hopes to help the Jaspers to a MAAC crown this winter — they reached the conference championship game last March — and down the road would like to play for Puerto Rico again, possibly even at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.
“I’ll stay in contact [with them],” he said. “Hopefully I can get the opportunity again. It’s a pride thing, to represent my country.”
Satin has Amazin’ pal in Mandel
Howie Mandel doesn’t have much time on his hands these days. He hosts two game shows on NBC, “America’s Got Talent” and “Take It All.” However, Mandel will find time Thursday to fly in for the Mets-Braves 1:10 p.m.game at Citi Field. He is there basically to see a longtime family friend, Mets first baseman Josh Satin.
“I have known the Satin family for a long time,” Mandel said. “I couldn’t be happier for his success. He has worked long and hard to get to the majors and I am happy he is doing well.”
Satin has been a revelation for manager Terry Collins.
“I heard he was following the Mets on Twitter to keep up with me,” Satin said. “That make me feel good that he is coming to see me. Daniel Murphy and I watched one of his shows during the All-Star break.”
Satin might make one special request when he sees his friend this week.
“I would love to get me and a couple of the guys as guests on his shows,” Satin said. “That would be pretty cool if we could pull that off.”
Stars go to bat for the ‘Big M’
MLB All-Stars David Ortiz, Andrew McCutcheon and Joe Nathan were joined by Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, Miss USA Erin Brady, sportscaster Bonnie Bernstein and actor Keith Collins at a red carpet party at the 40/40 Club where Marucci celebrated the fact more than one-third of players are swinging the “Big M” bat on an everyday basis. Marucci has averaged 22 All-Stars per year, in the past four years.
“I am not surprised they have had so much success so quickly,” said Ortiz, who recently had two of his Marucci bats sent to Cooperstown to memorialize his 400th home run and 1689th hit as a DH. … Mariano Rivera merchandise on Fanatics.com, one of the largest online retailers of official team gear, saw a spike of more than 400 percent on Wednesday after he won the All-Star Game MVP on Tuesday night. He currently is the top-selling player for MLB merchandise on Fanatics.com (not just jerseys, but anything with his name on it).
‘Bald’ Creature to start 5K run
Bleacher Creature leader “Bald” Vinny Milano is being chosen as the official “starter” for the Damon Runyon 5K at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 18. He follows Roy White, Ron Blomberg and Mickey Rivers with the distinction. Register through Aug. 5 at http://www.Runyon5K.org … Bounce Sporting Club reports the Wednesday night book launch of “The Bite Fight” with special guest Mike Tyson and The Post’s George Willis was a knockout.