After an exciting 2023-24 campaign (21-14, 9-8 A-10), the St. Joseph’s Hawks are looking to make the NCAA tournament run.
Returning players give the Hawks confidence going into the 2024-25 campaign.
Erik Reynolds II (photo courtesy SJU Athletics)
The biggest returning piece to this year’s puzzle is senior guard Erik Reynolds II, a 6’2” sharpshooter looking to light it up from behind the arc. Another talent is 6’ 9” junior forward Rasheer Fleming, a smooth finisher with improved shooting ability. Fleming is also a versatile defender who can guard positions one through five. Another returning star is guard Xzayvier Brown, who has shown great promise and plays tough defense. Lynn Greer III’s departure to Temple should enable Brown to play an expanded ball-handling role this season.
Greer was one of three main departures. Cameron Brown, who ranks 10th in history on the school’s three-pointers-made list, graduated, and 7-footer Christ Essandoko transferred to Providence.
To counter, Head Coach Bill Lange and his staff brought in transfer players via the transfer portal and through high school recruiting. Guard Derek Simpson transferred in from Rutgers and will play alongside Reyolds and Brown to give the Hawks a solid backcourt.
Justice Ajogbor (photo courtesy SJU Athletics)
To replace Essandoko, 6’ 10” Justice Ajogbor comes to Philadelphia from Harvard and looks to anchor the center position on this Hawks team along with a high school recruit, 6’11” Steve Solano from La Lumiere High School in New York.
Other notable recruits include Kevin Kearney, Mekai Johnson, and Khaafiq Myers, a PCL star out of Neumann Goretti High. Of those three, Kearney, out of Brooklyn, could get the most playing time at forward.
Returning players who could step into more prominent roles this year include Shawn Simmons, a flashy sophomore out of Philly who can jump out of the gym; Anthony Finkley, a teammate of Xzayvier Brown at Roman Catholic, who should see more playing time; and 6’8 guard Dasear Haskins, a redshirt freshman from Camden.
St. Joe’s is a good bet to defend its Big 5 Classic title, compete for the Atlantic 10 regular-season and tournament titles, and be a tough out in March Madness.
