Produced by: Office of Marketing and Communications
March 18, 2013
St. John’s freshman and men’s basketball standout JaKarr Sampson ’16CPS was named the 2012–13 BIG EAST Rookie of the Year, as announced by the conference on March 12.
Sampson is St. John’s second-straight men’s basketball player to earn BIG EAST Rookie of the Year honors and the third overall. Moe Harkless, who now plays for the Orlando Magic, received the top freshman honor in 2011-12. David Russell won the award in 1979-80.
“JaKarr has this boundless energy and influences the game with his zeal, talent, length and versatility at both ends of the floor,” said Coach Steve Lavin. “JaKarr probably has as much enthusiasm as any player I’ve coached. He brings electricity and energy to the game.”
“The BIG EAST Rookie of the Year award was one of the individual goals I set for myself,” said Sampson. “This is a big moment for me—I’m proud of myself for achieving my goal.”
A seven-time BIG EAST Rookie of the Week, Sampson exceeded all BIG EAST freshmen in scoring (14.9 points per game, 12th overall) and rebounding (6.6 rebounds per game, 12th overall). He was among the BIG EAST’s leaders in blocked shots (1.2, 10th), defensive rebounds (4.4, 8th), and offensive boards per game (2.2, 13th). In league play, his 15.1 points per game ranked 12th among all players.
In addition to scoring a career-high 22 points on two occasions, the 6-8 forward accrued a team-best 27 double-figure scoring efforts, including seven 20-point performances. He earned three double-doubles, including a 15-point, 17-rebound effort against the New Jersey Institute of Technology (December 1); a 16-point, 10-board performance against Fordham University (December 8); and a 21-point, 12-rebound effort against St. Francis College (December 15).
You are invited to learn more about St. John’s University’s 17 men’s and women’s athletic teams.
Related News
St. John’s Breaks Ground on New Basketball Facility and Recreational Upgrades
Construction will soon begin on a new basketball practice facility on St. John’s University’s Queens, NY, campus that serves as the first step in the renovation and modernization of student recreational resources.
St. John's University to Break Ground on New Basketball Practice Facility
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Brian Browne, Associate Vice President of University Communications and Public Affairs St. John’s University 718-990-2762 or 917-561-7068 (cell) browneb@stjohns...
From the Streets to the Sidelines: Rev. Richard Rock’s Lifelong Commitment to Vincentian Service
For more than three decades, Rev. Richard Rock, C.M., devoted his life to walking alongside society’s most vulnerable—from homeless teens on the streets of New York City to families in underserved Philadelphia neighborhoods.