Crossing Enemy Lines
Seton Hall fans are seeing red.
That storm which was brewing for weeks over South Orange, struck the heart of Seton Hall’s campus earlier on Tuesday, when Kadary Richmond announced he’s heading across the river to Jamaica, Queens to play for rival St. John’s and Rick Pitino.
Cause for Celebration
On the east side of the Hudson, Johnnies fans are celebrating like it’s Christmas in May. That’s because it is! They not only landed the number one ranked player in the portal , but they snatched the best player from their long-time rival, Seton Hall.
Richmond is a matchup nightmare. He’s tortured St. John’s for three years, and is coming off an award-winning season, in which he averaged 15.7 points, 7 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.2 steals a game for Seton Hall. At times he carried the Pirates, who were predicted to finish 9th in the Big East preseason coaches poll, and catapulted them to a 4th place finish. For his efforts, Richmond was named First-Team All-Big East and First-Team All Met, as one of the top players in the New York/New Jersey area.
Pitino couldn’t hide his affection for Richmond, comparing him to maybe the greatest point guard to ever live, Magic Johnson. Pitino told nj.com’s Adam Zagoria, “I think he’s [Richmond} the best passer I’ve seen in college in a long, long time, since probably the shades of Magic [Johnson]. He’s a great passer.”
My name is Bryan DeNovellis. You’ve landed on my blog.
I grew up in the heart of UConn Country in Hartford County, CT. I went to college at Seton Hall University, just 30 miles outside of Madison Square Garden, the mecca of basketball. I now reside in Middlesex County, NJ in the shadows of Rutgers University. Basketball has always been a huge part of my life. I’ve played it. I’ve coached it. I’ve officiated it. Now I blog about it.
Richmond will undoubtedly be named to every preseason first-team All-Big East team next season. He may even be selected as Preseason Big East Player of the Year, or Preseason All-American. He’s that good. But he’s not the only talented point guard switching to the 718 area code.
Richmond is the second major commit to St. John’s in 24 hours, joining another graduate transfer in Utah’s Deivon Smith. Both players are capable of notching a triple-double on any given night. Richmond became just the second Seton Hall Pirate ever to record a triple-double last season, with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in a 3 OT loss to Creighton. Smith meanwhile, set a Pac-12 single-season record last season, with five triple-doubles. Richmond and Smith will team up with rising sophomore Simeon Wilcher to give St. John’s the best backcourt in the Big East, and one of the best in the country.
Cheers to Jeers
Meanwhile, over on the west side of the Hudson, there’s cause for concern as Seton Hall fans are wondering ‘How could Kadary do this to us?’ They feel angry and betrayed. And they have a right to feel that way.
Richmond choosing St. John’s is the equivalent of Shaheen Holloway or Andre Barrett transferring to St. John’s after three years. Or what if Malik Sealy or Felipe Lopez transferred to Seton Hall way back when? Sure, I know those scenarios never could have happened because the Big East didn’t allow any athletes to transfer within the conference until 2021. But what if they could and what if they did? Imagine how differently they would be treated today by either school.
After leading the Pirates to their first NIT Championship since 1953, Richmond spoke glowingly about Seton Hall, "We opened the doors for the underdog players that's being recruited by Seton Hall, and don't feel as if anybody else is giving them a chance," he said. "This is a great place to come, and be able to play a game and be who you are."
When you hear those words, it sure sounds like a player who loved playing for the Hall, and one who bled blue. But in this new-age of the transfer portal, when players are here one year and gone the next, there’s often no allegiance to the names on the front of the Jersey. It’s all about the name on the back. Allegiances and legacies are things of the past. For both sides. Seton Hall fans on social media were quick to tell Richmond, “See you at the Pru Center.”
Seeing Red
No question, it’ll be strange to see Richmond wearing his familiar #1 in a St. John’s uniform next season, but Seton Hall fans aren’t alone. Players across the country are transferring from Auburn to Alabama or Michigan to Ohio State. Look no further than last year, when St. John’s saw two of its best players, Dylan Addae-Wusu (Seton Hall) and Posh Alexander (Butler), transfer in conference to another Big East team.
The circumstances for those players however, were a little different because both were essentially told by then-new head coach Rick Pitino, they weren’t “a good fit” for him. As I recall, neither Addae-Wusu nor Posh were booed on their return to UBS Arena or Carnesecca Arena last season. In fact, Posh received a touching ovation in January.
That won’t be the case when Richmond returns to Newark next season. Far from it. Oh, there will be some Seton Hall faithful who do clap for Richmond when his name is announced at the Prudential Center. But the vast majority of the fan base will undoubtedly boo. You can take that to the bank.
Had he transferred to Oklahoma or USC or Miami, things would’ve been much different. There would be no grudges or gripes. The Hall would’ve welcomed Richmond back any time with open arms.
Public Enemy Number One
Now? He’s public enemy number one. The hometown kid from Brooklyn has crossed enemy lines and will suit up for the opposition. It’s like Wade Boggs turning his Red Sox into pinstripes. Or Scott Gomez trading his Devils sweater for a blue shirt. Or a Hatfield suddenly becoming a McCoy. In the eyes of one side, you’re a traitor. In the eyes of the other, you’re a hero.
The St. John’s-Seton Hall rivalry just got kicked up a notch. Good or bad, this is college basketball. This is 2024. All is fair in love and war. And the transfer portal too.
So mark your calendars. The Big East schedule should be released sometime around the middle of September. Seton Hall and St. John’s fans will have their sharpies out, ready to circle the Johnnies matchup in Newark. Tickets available while they last.
