Pitino, St. John’s land ESPN 100 hire Dunlap

11:54 AM ET Jeff

Borzello

Close Jeff Borzello ESPN Personnel Author Basketball recruiting insider. Joined ESPN in 2014.

ESPN 100 wing Brady Dunlap dedicated to St. John’s on Tuesday, providing Rick Pitino his very first high school hire because taking over as he continues to overhaul the Red Storm’s roster.Dunlap chose St. John’s over a final list that likewise consisted of North Carolina, Villanova, Penn State and Nebraska.”I was offered on his player development and his

résumé,”Dunlap informed ESPN. “When you take a look at his track record, he has won everywhere he’s been and his players have truly enhanced into all-league players, such as Luke Hancock, Donovan Mitchell, Peyton Siva and much more.”Editor’s Picks 2 Related” The check out was unbelievable,”

he added. “It was a difference-maker. I had a fun time. “Pitino took over at St. John’s in March after the Red

Storm fired Mike Anderson following four seasons at the helm. The Hall of Popularity coach had actually invested the previous 3 seasons at Iona, going to a set of NCAA tournaments.Pitino, who is from New york city, intends to resurrect the St. John’s program, seeking to flip the lineup quickly.Dunlap is the first high school recruit in a deep newbie group that currently includes six transfers. Pitino brought three players

— Daniss Jenkins, Quinn Slazinski and Cruz Davis– with him from Iona, likewise including UConn’s Nahiem Alleyne, VMI’s Sean Conway and Oregon State’s Glenn Taylor Jr., who committed to the Red Storm on Monday night.”[ Associate head] Coach Steve Masiello called me the day after they got the job, “Dunlap said.” Coach Rick Pitino talked with me and my household after that. They’ve been recruiting me since.”Joel Soriano, who earned second-team All-Big East honors this previous season after balancing 15.2 points and 11.9 rebounds, is the only returnee who played substantial minutes last season. 8 players have gone into the transfer portal.St. John’s remains in the mix for top-10 recruit Mackenzie Mgbako, who decommitted from Duke last month.A 6-foot-7 wing from Harvard-Westlake High School( California), Dunlap is ranked No. 86 in the ESPN 100.

He assisted lead Harvard-Westlake to the Open Department state champion in California.What makes Dunlap special is his shot-making and terrific positional size on the wing. His shooting range is deep and precise since of his shot mechanics and shot preparation, both of which have been well-drilled over the years. Dunlap reads the floor and the defense.Against a tough closeout, he will shot-fake and bounce into the midrange when required. He identifies up off the ball effectively, moving without the ball and cutting off screens. His drive game and vertical ability show he has the ability to end up in area.”My father and I talked with a lot of individuals about Coach Pitino,”Dunlap said.”Everybody stated the very same thing. It will be the hardest thing I might ever do, however at the end you [become] your finest and more. I believe Coach Pitino will assist me become the best person and player I can be. I will do the work since that’s what I want

.”