Rysheed Jordan’s remarkable freshman season continues to be surrounded by tragedy.
The St. John’s point guard, whose rapid ascension has elevated the Red Storm into the NCAA Tournament conversation after nine wins in their past 11 games, missed Monday’s practice, having learned right after Saturday’s loss at Villanova that a close family member was shot and killed in North Philadelphia.
A source confirmed the woman was a close relative of Jordan’s mother’s immediate family. The body was discovered during the game.
Since arriving on campus, Jordan, a Philadelphia native, has returned home multiple times to visit his ill mother and grandfather. He stayed with his family, which includes six younger siblings, last weekend. While with the Red Storm in Europe over the summer, Jordan also learned his best friend had been killed.
A report from Philadelphia states a man was also found dead from a gunshot in the same house. Outside the house, Philadelphia police took five family members into custody after a fight, which was captured on video, broke out. The video shows multiple people wearing St. John’s apparel, including a woman sporting Jordan’s No. 23.
Jordan attended the viewing of his relative on Monday in Philadelphia and then returned to New York to be with the team.
After Monday’s practice, St. John’s coach Steve Lavin said he had been in touch with Jordan, and the two would discuss further whether he will be available for Tuesday night’s game against Xavier (18-9, 8-6 Big East), in the latest installment of the Red Storm’s (18-10, 8-7) biggest game of the season.
“Obviously it’s a very difficult time for the young man,” said Lavin. “We’ll approach it in an appropriate manner based on how Rysheed is navigating through this emotional minefield.”
“Like anyone would under this situation, when you have a loss like he has, just do what the appropriate thing is and that will reveal itself in due time. These matters, there’s no manual on them or no percentage play. You just deal with it appropriately based on where he is emotionally.”
D’Angelo Harrison said he texted Jordan to let him know he and his teammates were there for the freshman, saying, ‘If there’s anything we can do … I got you.’”
Jordan wrote back, “We’ll be alright and I’ll be back soon. I miss you guys.’”
Harrison and Phil Greene IV both expected Jordan to play on Tuesday, answering that question without any hesitation.
Greene, whose best friend Michael Haynes, an Iona recruit, was shot and killed in 2012, even thinks getting back to the court will help give Jordan a few hours when he can concentrate on something else besides the tragedy.
“It’s tough to deal with losing someone close to you. You can try to help someone and encourage them, but in the end it’s tough to go through it,” said Greene. “We look at each other as brothers. We just have to stick together through it.”
“The basketball court is where you can clear your mind of things like that. It helps a lot. It blocks everything out. It just gets your mind on something other than someone passing away.”
Lavin said Chris Obekpa (ankle) is still not back to full strength, but the coach said he continues to improve and will play Tuesday. … Orlando Sanchez returned to practice after missing Saturday’s game to be with his wife and newborn daughter. He will also play.