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Simeon Wilcher inherited the same challenge that made him leave Carolina.
The New York Post had a headline Monday that credits Wilcher for the trait he did not exhibit after signing with UNC. “Wilcher willing to stay patient for St. John’s,” it read.
The story relates how new Johnnies coach Rick Pitino hit the transfer portal and loaded up with veteran players, leaving Wilcher in no better position that caused him to seek his release from the Tar Heels, which he got.
When Wilcher, the 6-4 former 4-star in New Jersey high school basketball, signed with Hubert Davis he expected to contend for a starting guard position after Caleb Love transferred. But then Elliot Cadeau happened.
Cadeau reclassified and was almost immediately anointed the starting point guard because he is reportedly a great passer with excellent floor vision and exceptional speed. So Wilcher did not want to be in a backcourt rotation with R.J. Davis, Cadeau and sophomore Seth Trimble.
At St. John’s, he now finds himself in a similar log jam with Daniss Jenkins, who started for Pitino at Iona, and Penn star transfer Jordan Dingle next to Jenkins. That leaves Wilcher at best as the first guard off the bench beyond upperclassmen who have sevens years of college experience.
With the 19-year-old Cadeau already ticketed for the 2024 NBA draft, Wilcher finds himself in a worse position than he would have had in Chapel Hill. The top 50 prospect might have wanted to be a one-and-done, but he may have lost that opportunity at St. John’s, the treachery of the transfer portal.
Wilcher is talking the party line, saying it’s going to take time and he is not rushing anything, even though he bolted from Carolina as soon as Cadeau reclassified. “I just want to show I can be a point guard, lead my team and help my team win,” Wilcher said. “It’s basketball. We’re all going to get our chance to play and I just want to win.”
Is that the same thing he would have said upon his arrival in North Carolina? Or was he also swayed by the justifiable reputation Davis has developed over the last two seasons of not playing his bench?
Ironically, Wilcher is a great athlete whose speed would have enhanced the Tar Heels’ running game, which now remains in question with more seasoned but less athletic teammates he left behind. So Wilcher will instead play for a stubborn coach whose resume includes winning two NCAA titles.
With little choice, Wilcher has changed his tune; for a kid who averaged better than 15 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds in high school, it’s an old song.
Featured image via 247 Sports/John Cerra
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