As big name after big name comes off the board in the transfer portal, it’s understandable that Red Storm fans are growing a little apprehensive as St. John’s seeks its first addition of the offseason. Fortunately, all signs point to the Johnnies not having to wait much longer this week.
Former Cincinnati big man Moustapha Thiam will complete a visit with St. John’s on Tuesday, becoming the latest transfer target to take a trip to Madison Square Garden and the school’s Queens campus. The news was
first reported by Jeff Goodman from Field of 68.
Thiam is also considering offers from UConn, Gonzaga, Arkansas, Michigan State, Duke, Kansas, Texas A&M, Tennessee, and UCF.
Standing at 7-foot-2, the Senegalese center originally signed to UCF as a freshman, logging 10.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game on 49.8% shooting and 29.1% from three. Thiam then transferred within the Big 12 to Cincinnati ahead of his sophomore year, where he improved his scoring efficiency. Last season, Thiam averaged 12.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per contest on 52.5% shooting and 28.8% from three.
A good athlete with mobility and a 7-foot-6 wingspan, Thiam rates as a formidable rim protector, which is music for a Red Storm team looking to replace Zuby Ejiofor’s lockdown defense. Among players currently in the transfer portal, Thiam had the 12th-best defensive rating according to BartTorvik at 89.0. As a freshman at UCF, Thiam led the Big 12 with 2.6 blocks per game. Although he took a step back last season, he was still sixth in his conference by averaging 1.6 blocks.
Along with his impressive defensive toolkit, Thiam has a polished post game featuring smooth floaters, hook shots, and fadeaway jumpers. He showcased his full arsenal in his breakout performance during the Bearcats’ 84-68 win over Kansas back in February, scoring a career-high 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting and 2-of-5 from three, while also pulling down eight rebounds.
Thiam is just one of several transfer targets planning to visit St. John’s in what will be a busy week on campus. Other transfers coming to New York this week include Abdi Bashir from Kansas State, Mouhamed Dioubate from Kentucky, DeSean Goode from Robert Morris, and Leroy Blyden from Toledo.
