By Joseph Straszewski
Chris Mullin has stepped up the rebuilding of the St. John’s roster.
The new St. John’s men’s basketball coach signed talented Italian guard Federico Mussini last week. The 6-foot Mussini turned down Gonzaga and opted to stop his professional career with Reggio Emilia, of the Italian League’s first division, so that he could join the Red Storm. He is the No. 13-ranked European prospect in his class, according to EuroH
“Federico is a crafty guard who will be an important piece of our roster,” Mullin said. “Federico handles the ball well, he can score in a variety of ways and has playmaking skills that will continue to develop as he works with our coaching staff. His team-first mentality and unselfish approach to the game are exactly what we strive for as a program.”
Mussini will be one of four international players on the Red Storm’s roster next year, along with sophomore forward and fellow Italian Amar Albegovic, incoming freshman Yankuba Sima (Spain) and Missouri State graduate transfer Ron M’Vouika (France). He joins a roster that lost eight scholarship players from last year’s NCAA tournament team, including transferring center Chris Obekpa and guard Rysheed Jordan, who left to pursue and professional career. Mussini, who was originally recruited by former coach Steve Lavin, is happy to be coming to New York to play for Mullin.
“I am very excited to be a Johnny,” said Mussini. “I selected St. John’s most of all because of Coach Mullin and the entire coaching staff. I think Coach Mullin will help me to develop my game thanks to his experience from a Hall of Fame career. I believe that this staff can take me to another level.”
Mussini helped lead the Italian Under-18 national team to a sixth place finish at the European Championships in 2014. He was named to the All-Tournament team after averaging 22.6 points and four rebounds per game while shooting 42.9 percent from 3-point range. At the 2012 Jordan Brand Classic International game, he scored a game-high 21 points, as well as grabbing four rebounds and dishing out four assists.
