Chris Obekpa To Transfer From St. John's
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — Chris Obekpa, who led the Big East in blocked shots the past three seasons, has decided to leave St. John's and has been granted permission to pursue transfer opportunities with other NCAA schools.
"We respect Chris' decision and wish him well in his future endeavors," head coach Chris Mullin said in a statement on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-9 Obekpa, a rising senior, had said he was going to transfer after his sophomore season but changed his mind and he played last season for former coach Steve Lavin. He averaged 5.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.2 blocks last season but he was suspended for two weeks on March 15 for a violation of team rules and he missed the Red Storm's first-round loss to San Diego State in the NCAA Tournament.
He also missed a game in February after he was ejected from the Red Storm's loss to Butler on Feb. 3 for throwing an elbow to the head of Tyler Wideman.
"It was a great three years of growing here at St. John's. I am forever grateful for the friends and family I have met during my time here," Obekpa said. "Much gratitude goes out to my coaches, teammates, professors and administrators for all of their love and support over the past three years."
Earlier this month, the school announced that guard Rysheed Jordan would not be returning for the 2015-16 season.
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