Get to Know an Incoming Recruit: Sidney Wilson

For Sidney Wilson, the path of his recruitment to St. John’s had some twists and turns.

At the start of things, a collegiate career in Queens did not seem to be the path that Wilson was keen on taking.

A native of The Bronx, the slim, 6-foot-7 scorer had interest in Syracuse and Maryland. He then narrowed down his options to UConn, Texas, and St. John’s. The Red Storm in the end reaped the benefits of keeping another talented player from New York City within the city limits. This especially after the capture of Shamorie Ponds in last season’s recruiting cycle.

For Wilson the prospect of playing at home was something that attracted him into signing his letter of intent with the Red Storm.

There’s not much to say about his collegiate career, which would be entering into a world of speculative fiction. There is a lot, however on his career at both high school and prep school. Wilson initially plied his trade at St. Raymond High School for Boys in the Parkchester neighborhood of The Bronx. He then went on to finish out his studies and play at the Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.

Interestingly, for a point of trivia and varying degrees of separation, former Johnnie JaKarr Sampson also had played his prep ball at Brewster.

At St. Raymond’s, Wilson scored more than 1,000 points in his first three years of high school basketball. This while taking home First Team All-CHSAA honors in his junior season, when he led the way with 17 points per game.

In prep competition, Wilson kept up his pace of play averaging 17.2 points and 5.3 rebounds. The Bronx native knocked down shots at a rate of 60 percent from the field. That season, Brewster went undefeated and won the NEPSAC Class AAA Championship and the National Prep Championship.

With the talent clearly there, the full scouting report on Wilson up to this point is that his is a winger. He stands 6-foot-7 and weighs in at 185 lbs., a frame that will most likely be filled out as he begins playing at the college level. He also has a 7-foot wingspan and has demonstrated an excellent leaping ability.

The most likely option for Wilson this season is for him to be used as an undersized power forward to help shore up a rather thin front line. Still though, Wilson does present another exciting prospect for St. John’s this season.

Chances are, he will see a lot of minutes in his first year. And what minutes they are to be.