By Joseph Staszewski
St. John’s Coach Steve Lavin described his disciplinary style toward his players as “old school” and “tough love,” something he picked up living in a household with Catholic parents who raised six children.
That’s what he feels he is giving star freshman guard Rysheed Jordan by suspending him for the Red Storm’s game against Monmouth Friday night for a violation of team rules, he said.
“The only way you are going to bring the best out in an individual player is to hold them accountable to their potential,” Lavin said.
The much-hyped Jordan, the preseason Big East freshman of the year, did not practice with St. John’s Thursday, prior to a 64-54 victory against the Hawks at Carnesecca Arena. Lavin said he made the decision to suspend him after arriving on campus in the late afternoon before the game.
“I knew I was going to do something in some form of penalty,” Lavin said.
He said the infraction wasn’t severe, but a “basic responsibility our team members must adhere to.” No timetable was given for Jordan’s return. The freshman was not on the bench and as far as Lavin knew at the time he was still on campus.
Jordan will not be allowed to practice with the team while he is suspended, Lavin said. His standing with the program is in his hands, the coach said.
“If he takes care of his team responsibilities, we’d love to have him back in the fold,” Lavin said.
Jordan has not lived up to expectations on the court during his first three games. He is averaging just 4.3 points and 2.3 rebounds. Jordan played just 14 minutes, mostly in the first half, in a win over Bucknell on Nov. 19. Lavin said his violation had nothing to do with Jordan being upset with his playing time.
“That’s not why I suspended him,” the coach said. “There wasn’t any behavior on the bench or in the locker room like that.”
This is the second suspension of a player this season. Sophomore forward Chris Obekpa was kept out of the team’s tip-off event and two preseason games for a violation of university policy. Last year, D’Angelo Harrison was suspended in late March for the remainder of the season for conduct detrimental to the team.
Lavin doesn’t deem maturity an issue with this group.
Jordan’s teammates know his presence helps the team and believe he will remedy the situation.
“It hurts because he’s a great player,” Harrison said. “He’ll get it together, he’ll be back.”
