Steve Lavin described Tuesday’s press conference as a celebration. JaKarr Sampson, in a dark sports jacket and tan dress pants, never stopped smiling as he discussed his decision to declare for the NBA Draft in front of the media, school officials and the entire St. John’s coaching staff.
Optimism was everywhere in Taffner Field House, a belief Sampson will join Maurice Harkless as the second player in Steve Lavin’s four seasons to hear his name called in June’s draft.
But where does this leave St. John’s? It is coming off a disappointing season, the third straight without an NCAA Tournament berth, and now Sampson is leaving, joining senior forwards Orlando Sanchez and God’sgift Achiuwa. That leaves a major void in the frontcourt, but also opens up three scholarships. A fourth scholarship is also available since seldom-used senior guard Marco Bourgault is graduating.
Lavin said St. John’s could play small, á la Villanova, and go with a four-guard lineup. Forward Christian Jones, who was redshirted following a nondescript freshman year, will be active. St. John’s is involved with Christ the King center Adonis Delarosa, a 6-foot-11 senior and three-star prospect.
He would be their first incoming recruit, and Lavin said the focus right now is more about future classes, in 2015 and 2016, than the current one.
“We like our roster the way it is,” Lavin said. “I like our personnel. We may be a little smaller next year, like Villanova was this year, but I think in our conference, the way it is right now, if you look at the makeup and personnel of other rosters, we match up well with everyone in this league.
“If we got a little bit smaller, then we’re faster, a little bit more skilled. We can attack the 3-point line, we can press and play at a tempo we prefer anyway.”
The 6-8 Sampson said it was an “easy decision” to enter the draft and he will sign with an agent soon. He will begin workouts back in Ohio soon, and spend time in Miami and Las Vegas, hoping to improve his overall game. Financial problems didn’t factor into the decision. He said the time was right, the feeling similar to when he committed to St. John’s.
“I definitely see myself as a first-round pick,” Sampson said. “I know what I can do and I know what I can show at the next level.”
The projections for him — or lack thereof — aren’t kind.
DraftExpress.com doesn’t list Sampson in its current mock draft, or have him among the top 100 prospects. ESPN draft guru Chad Ford doesn’t either. Elan Vinokurov, the president of EZ Hoops, a professional scouting service a variety of NBA teams rely on, told The Post he doesn’t project Sampson as a top 10 small forward in the draft.
“Just got to show ’em, just got to show ’em,” Sampson said when asked about his detractors. “I’m going to work my butt off this [spring], be in the lab. Nothing you can say to them. No need to talk.”
Lavin compared the reaction to Sampson declaring for the draft to when Harkless did the same two years ago. There were plenty of critics who doubted the decision, labeling it a mistake. Harkless, however, played his way into the first round and was taken 15th overall by the 76ers.
“I’ve been through this a number of times. At this point so much of it is speculation,” Lavin said. “But at the end of it, JaKarr has the tools, he has the talent, to play at the highest level.”
Sampson is confident in his decision, that he will see the payoff come June. St. John’s, meanwhile, won’t be the same next season.