To have fun SLAM’s thirtieth anniversary, we’re spotlighting the 30 most influential males’s faculty groups from our previous 30 years. Stats, data and chips aren’t the principle issue right here, it’s all about their contribution to the sport’s cultural material.
For the subsequent 30 days—Monday by way of Friday— we’ll be unveiling the complete record right here. We’ve additionally obtained an unique retro collegiate assortment, out now, that pays homage to every squad’s threads. Store right here.
Again in ‘99, St. John wasn’t only a college; they represented the true essence of New York Metropolis. Their males’s basketball group was no exception: with a hustler’s spirit, a chip on their shoulder, and newly sponsored hearth engine pink Jordan Model uniforms, they lifted this system into a brand new period. The Pink Storm might have entered the season unranked, however by March, all the faculty ecosystem was echoing the vibrations of Queens.
Head coach Mike Jarvis understood what he was coping with in his squad: gamers like Queensbridge native Metta Sandiford-Artest – recognized again then as Ron Artest – grew up residing on New York Metropolis black tops. Toughness and angle weren’t ever a query. As an alternative, he capitalized on that depth and fueled their native satisfaction so that each time his gamers took the courtroom, they performed to symbolize themselves and town. With a 28-9 common season report, they captivated audiences in every single place they went. Artest’s will to win was off the charts, like when he made positive to nail that three towards Duke to push the sport into OT as a result of he knew he’d sink it. Then there was freshman sensation Erick Barkley, who dazzled crowds with no-look passes and highlight-reel dunks. Bootsy Thornton didn’t simply dominate on the defensive finish; he might rating underneath any circumstances. The 2-time All-Huge East choice was good for almost 15 factors a recreation, however the DMV native actually shined underneath the highlight. The No. 2 ranked Duke Blue Devils have been on the receiving finish of 1 such efficiency, the place Thorton exploded for a 40-piece. Bolstered by Tyrone Grant’s put up presence and Lavor Postell’s sharp capturing from deep, the Storm’s 5 double-digit scorers might gentle it up in transition and half-court.
The Pink Storm weren’t afraid to bully their means by way of the Huge East whereas rocking these saggy but smooth bright-red uniforms. Any time they stepped on the ground, they weren’t content material with simply successful; they needed to entertain, to depart spectators in awe of their abilities and dominance. St. John’s destroyed the Maryland Terrapins 76-62 as a result of they weren’t glad with simply successful; they needed to present their dominance over their opponents. Barkley’s 24-piece was proof sufficient. Every recreation was a spectacle, a showcase of the group’s expertise.
The Huge East championship recreation went right down to the wire towards UConn, and regardless of the 82-63 loss, that was only the start of their postseason run. St. John’s dominated the NCAA event by way of the Elite Eight, successful every recreation by a median of 25 factors.
And even now, many years later, the legacy of the ‘99 St. John’s males’s basketball group lives on. They continue to be a logo of hope and inspiration, a reminder that something is feasible with arduous work, dedication, and a never-say-die angle. They weren’t only a group; they have been a phenomenon, a shining instance of what might be achieved when expertise, dedication, and coronary heart come collectively in good concord. Their affect prolonged far past the confines of the basketball courtroom. With the Huge East operating by way of Mecca in 98-99, the Pink Storm returned to the Backyard 25 years later to a standing ovation from the New York devoted. Their legacy is cemented and enshrined within the metropolis’s historic reference to the sport.
Pictures by way of Getty Photographs.
