A pattern is developing.
New St. John’s coach Mike Anderson’s first two recruits have similarities: They’re both hard-nosed players who defend and can be described as gritty. They fit his nickname, “Iron Mike.”
First was three-star point guard John McGriff, a 5-foot-9 high school recruit known for his on-ball defense. Now comes junior college prospect Damien Sears, a 6-foot-7, 230-pound forward described by his former coach as a “bruiser.”
“He’s every bit of 230. He knows how to throw his weight around, use his body really well and initiates and is able to absorb contact,” said Rolando De La Barrera, Sears’ coach at Western Oklahoma State. “That’s something they were looking for at this point just taking over the job. They wanted somebody to do the dirty work inside, an enforcer type of guy.”
Sears, a Louisiana native, averaged 12.8 points, on 54.6 percent shooting from the field, along with 8.6 rebounds. He was All-Region II, despite playing in just 21 games coming off a torn ACL. He played one season at Jacksonville State before going to junior college, averaging 4.1 points and 3.6 rebounds in 16 games.
“Honestly, when I came on a visit there was no reason to consider another school,” said Sears, whose friend, Adrio Bailey, played for Anderson at Arkansas, adding to his comfort level with his future coach. “Coach Anderson made it feel like I was a part of his family in the first five minutes of me meeting him.
“[Anderson] liked that I have a big heart, and he said he needed some guys like me. He likes my dog mentality. I won’t back down from a fight.”
During his visit this week, his first trip to New York City, Sears toured the St. John’s campus and got a chance to see the Garden up close. It left a big impression on him.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said.
De La Barrera said Nicholls State, Lamar and Grambling were among the schools recruiting Sears. Brendan Walker, the publisher of JucoRecruiting.com, had Sears rated as a low-major-plus/mid-major-minus prospect. But after Sears performed well during Walker’s live-period event, the Juco Showcase All-American Availables in Dallas — where associate head coach TJ Cleveland saw him — his recruiting went on the rise.
“He just fits what they were looking for as far as a physical inside presence,” Walker said.
Sears joins freshman Josh Roberts and N.C. State transfer Ian Steere in the Red Storm’s frontcourt. Depending on how the rest of the offseason unfolds, he could have a major role immediately, especially if forward Sedee Keita, who is in the transfer portal, doesn’t return.
St. John’s now has three open scholarships left, assuming LJ Figueroa comes back. The sophomore is in the transfer portal and is weighing his options, sources said.