St. John’s running out of players as Chris Obekpa transfers

Thus far, St John’s regular season was a smashing success compared to its offseason. Following a disappointing one-and-done NIT appearance, the deep and talented roster has fractured.

Chris Obekpa, the shot-blocking sophomore dynamo, has received his release to transfer, which is a major blow to an already thin frontline. It comes just a few weeks after sophomore forward JaKarr Sampson surprisingly declared for the NBA Draft, despite projections of being a late second-round pick at best.

Obekpa, the Nigerian native who attended high school on Long Island at Our Savior New American and was a four-star recruit, is the third player to leave coach Steve Lavin’s program, joining Sampson and sophomore sharpshooter Max Hooper, Sampson’s close friend, roommate and teammate at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire.

“We wish Chris good luck as he moves toward his next opportunity,” Lavin said in a statement released by the school.

The 6-foot-9 Obekpa tweeted this on Thursday afternoon:

A source told The Post Baylor is one possible destination for Obekpa, while Oregon and UCLA also are possibilities.

Obekpa cannot transfer to a Big East school because of the league’s Intra- conference transfer policy, a source said. It was a rocky season for the big man who was suspended for the team’s two exhibition games after violating university policy and saw a decrease in playing time until coming alive during St John’s late season hot streak.

Obekpa averaged 3.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game, but played just three minutes in St John’s Big East Tournament loss to Providence in part because of foul trouble. He played 11 minutes in St. John’s ugly NIT home loss to Robert Morris.

Obekpa’s departure leaves the Johnnies with just seven scholarship players as forwards Orlando Sanchez and God’sgift Achiuwa, in addition to guard Marco Bourgault, graduate in May, and Lavin has no incoming recruits signed as of now.

St John’s does have 6-foot-8 freshman forward Christian Jones, coming off a red-shirt year, and 6-foot-5 small forward Sir’Diminic Pointer up front, but at least a few additions are needed.

The Red Storm are involved with Christ the King senior forward Adonis Delarosa, a 6-foot-11 wide body who is set to pick a school April 18 and is being courted by Rutgers, South Carolina, Pittsburgh and Alabama, and hosted Westchester Community College forward Keith Thomas on an unofficial visit this week, a source said.

The 6-foot-8 Thomas, a prep star at Yorktown High School who averaged 15.3 points and 15.7 rebounds per game this season, is expected to take an official visit to St. John’s this month. Additionally, Delarosa’s older brother Joey is currently enrolled at St. John’s after playing three seasons at Florida International.

Obekpa’s situation doesn’t necessarily preclude St. John’s from landing Our Savior New American’s Cheick Diallo, a top 10 junior forward, a source said.

Sources said the rest of the roster is expected to remain intact and nothing has changed regarding contract extension talks for Lavin, who has two years left on his original six-year deal. Athletic director Chris Monasch said talks were ongoing late in the regular season.