Tennessee transfer Tariq Owens will continue his collegiate career at St. John’s, according to ESPN.com.
Owens played his freshman season at Tennessee, where he averaged 1.2 points and 1.1 boards this year. He opted to leave the program after Donnie Tyndall was fired by the school.
Owens is the first player that new head coach Chris Mullin has reeled in. He also hired assistant coach Matt Abdelmassih away from Iowa State, which has thrown the program in the mix for a number of elite prospects in the area. Chris Obekpa opted to return to school, as the Johnnies still may get Rysheed Jordan back.
The 6-foot-10 forward was originally committed to play his college ball at Ohio. He’ll have to sit out the 2015-2016 season but will be eligible to play for three years after that.