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Auburn transfer Mustapha Heron headed to St. John’s

Clemson v Auburn

SAN DIEGO, CA - MARCH 18: Mustapha Heron #5 of the Auburn Tigers drives on Elijah Thomas #14 of the Clemson Tigers in the first half during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena on March 18, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

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St. John’s added to its ever-growing list of transfers with perhaps its biggest name yet.

Former Auburn guard Mustapha Heron is joining coach Chris Mullin and the Red Storm, a source tells NBCSports.com.

The 6-foot-5 sophomore led the Tigers in scoring a year ago with 16.4 points per game while shooting 43.9 percent from the floor and 33.1 percent from 3-point range. He declared for the NBA draft without an agent, and ultimately decided to return to the college ranks, but with a new destination.

Heron has two seasons of eligibility remaining and hopes to be able to play immediately as the Waterbury, Conn. native is moving closer to home to be near his ailing mother, according to the New York Post’s Zach Braziller.

If Heron is immediately eligible, he adds significant pop to a St. John’s roster that will be looking to make major improvements from last year’s 16-17 campaign. Star Shamorie Ponds is returning after flirting with a possible pro future, and a pairing with Heron would give the St. John’s a dynamic scoring backcourt.

It will be a critical season for Mullin, too, as the Red Storm have struggled to get off the ground during his tenure in Queens. He’s won just 12 Big East games in three years after much fanfare, hope and expectation in his return to his alma mater. Now, with Ponds in the fold and eight transfers populating the roster, it looks as though Mullin and Co. have their best shot yet at moving up in a wide open conference.