Former Auburn Standout Chooses St. John's

(Photo taken by Mustapha Heron)

Jamaica, NY—The St. John’s Red Storm received a gift that could potentially have to wait a year, as former Auburn Tigers standout Mustapha Heron chooses the Johnnies as his next destination in his college basketball journey.

Heron, a junior, from Waterbury, CT, has received Second Team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press as a sophomore, will be applying for a hardship waiver to become immediately eligible for the 2018-19 NCAA season. That didn’t stop head coach Chris Mullin from touting the thousand point scorer. “Mustapha [Heron] isa high level basketball talent who we are thrilled to have join our program.”

Last season at Auburn, he averaged 16.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 0.9 assists per game. He appeared in 32 games, all of which were starts. Mustapha reached the 1,000 point plateau in just his sophomore season as a Tiger, and became the sixth player in Auburn history to garner this achievement.

The awards came with baggage for Heron, as he decided to transfer from Auburn to be closer to his family and his mother, who has been digressing in her recovery from a severe concussion. “I’m excited for the opportunity to play for such a storied program. I’m also fortunate for the chance to be close to home, to my mom and family. This has been a stressful last year, so I’m extremely blessed for the chance to play on the big stage in New York City and for Coach Mullin.”

Heron was a consensus five star recruit out of Sacred Heart High School, where he was ranked as high as 17th overall/nationally. Mustapha was also a standout on the AAU platform, by playing with the New York Rens before Auburn.

The junior joins a roster filled with talent plus expectations from All-Big East selection Shamorie Ponds, Justin Simon, and redshirt senior Marvin Clark II.