As St. John’s enter the new campaign powered by the impending arrival of Tounde Yessoufou, questions have been asked about how Rick Pitino convinced the player to leave the NBA Draft and join the Red Storm instead.
While some reports claim that a fee of around $7 Million might have done the trick, there seems to have been another reason for his move to the New York outfit, and the coach might have something to do with it.
Responding to Aaron Torres’ praise of Rick Pitino’s recruiting skills, a former Kentucky player has come out to corroborate the legendary head coach’s way of getting his players on side, and Yessoufou may have been no different.
“I played for Coach P at IK. He doesn’t play. He has told AA’s and 1st round draft picks at UK, play the right way or transfer. He doesn’t need the players. Players need him. The proof is in the pudding as they say,” Reggie Hanson said.
Reggie Hanson and Rick Pitino Go Back a Long Way
Reggie Hanson’s comments about Rick Pitino certainly have some backing to them. Hanson played for Pitino at the University of Kentucky following the latter’s stint at the New York Knicks, where he narrowly missed out on a Championship.
A couple of years under Pitino were enough for Hanson to learn the tricks of the trade, which he used to his advantage after his ascent to the assistant coach spot at Kentucky from 2000 to 2007.
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