Basketball metrics guy. I have the privilege of helping out the St. John’s men’s basketball team with analytics.
Joined February 2019
- Tweets548
- Following2.7K
- Followers1.8K
- Likes748
Jason Fortin retweeted
Fun Fact: three of Rick Pitino's five current assistant coaches won national championships as players: Steve Masiello, Taliek Brown, and Peyton Siva.
@steve_masiello @BrownTaliek @PeypeySiva3
Jason Fortin retweeted
The NBA Draft went to a two-round format in 1989. Since that happened, St. John’s has never had three players get selected — until tonight. Bryce Hopkins (Nuggets) joins Dillon Mitchell (Celtics) and Zuby Ejiofor (Hawks).
The Rick Pitino Effect in Queens knows no limits.
Jason Fortin retweeted
Zuby Ejiofor led St. John’s in scoring, rebounding, assists, and blocks. He was 2nd in the Big East in efficiency, 8th in the country in second-chance points, and attempted the most free throws for any Big East player in 12 years.
He can fill a variety of needs, and these are his closest statistical comps over the last 15 years ⬇️
Jason Fortin retweeted
First and foremost, I want to thank God for always giving me the strength, courage, and faith to persevere through every challenge and moment of adversity. I also want to thank my family for standing by my side through thick and thin, especially throughout this process and this important decision.
I usually don’t speak publicly about things like this, but I feel it’s important to address a few things. Ever since I was a kid, my dream has always been to play in the NBA, and that dream has never changed. At the same time, I’ve always believed in myself and have always been self-aware enough to understand what I need to do to put myself in the best position to succeed.
I’ve seen and heard the rumors and speculation surrounding my decision. The truth is, none of that affects me. My entire life, I’ve been criticized, doubted, and questioned, and I’ve learned to stay focused on what matters.
I want to make one thing very clear: my decision to attend St. John’s has nothing to do with money. My decision was based on basketball, development, and winning.
I love what Coach Rick Pitino has built at St. John’s. His experience, leadership, and résumé speak for themselves, but what stood out most to me was the belief he has in his players, his relentless work ethic, and his ability to help good players become great players while also helping them grow as men.
At every level I’ve played, my goal has always been to compete for championships. I made this decision based on where I believe I can best develop as a player, grow as a leader, and put myself in the strongest position to achieve my ultimate goals.
This was a basketball decision. This was a development decision. This was a winning decision.
That’s the truth.
#redstorm
Jason Fortin retweeted
Here’s a semi-realistic hypothetical for you:
@Mervis7 is Trilly Donovan.
@CJMooreHoops of The Athletic interviewed Trilly a little over a year ago on August 15, 2023.
I am going to take Trilly at his word when he told Moore in the interview, "I'm the most honest burner account you're ever gonna find."
Chad Mervis checks every box of the brief biography that Trilly provided AT THE TIME of the interview:
· He’s 32 years old
· He’s not Billy Donovan
· He grew up a Donovan-era Florida fan
· He’s not an agent, he’s not a reporter, he’s not a coach and works in college basketball
· He lives somewhere out East
· He’s married with no kids
Here is how Chad Mervis checks the box for each one:
FYI - all the information I obtained below is on the internet.
He’s 32 years old:
Chad was a basketball manager for the University of Florida and graduated in May 2015.
Billy Donovan left Florida for the OKC job in April 2015.
Chad’s age of 32 at the time of the article lines up with someone who graduated college in 2015.
He’s not Billy Donovan:
This should not be earth-shattering news: Billy Donovan is not Trilly Donovan.
He grew up a Donovan-era Florida fan:
Chad's older brother Stephen is Vice President of Basketball Strategy and Evaluation for the Orlando Magic.
Stephen was featured in a recent article by Mike Vorkunov in The Athletic on Aug 21, 2024: The 2024 NBA 40 under 40 list: Top young coaches, executives, managers and influencers.
Stephen’s age of 36 is in the article.
Like Chad, Stephen also graduated from the University of Florida.
It's reasonable to assume that Chad was rooting for Billy Donovan's Florida basketball teams when his older brother attended there.
In addition, Stephen and Chad grew up in central Florida so Chad could have started rooting for Billy Donovan when he joined Florida in 1996.
Chad was a teenager when the Gators won back to back national championships in 2006 and 2007.
He’s NOT an agent, he’s NOT a reporter, he’s NOT a coach and works in college basketball.
According to his LinkedIn page, Chad was a Sports Analyst at Roc Nation at the time of the article.
A sports analyst working in college basketball is NOT an agent, NOT a reporter, and NOT a coach.
He’s married with no kids
I didn’t see anything on the internet if Chad is married or has kids.
I was exaggerating that I have info on Chad checking EVERY box in Trilly’s bio.
That’s all I got.
FYI – I am a basketball analytics guy (some might say Sports Analyst) and not a journalist.
If Chad is, in fact, Trilly I think it would be very on brand that this is how Trilly was revealed.
Go Johnnies!!!!!
Jason Fortin retweeted
Here was my All-America ballot. Felt Tarris Reed Jr.'s incredible four-game performance that pushed UConn to another Final Four should've vaulted him to Third Team A-A status.
Jason Fortin retweeted
I could never express how much I HATE losing!!!!! 😂
Thank you @RealPitino , @steve_masiello , @EdKullStJohnsAD , all the coaches, staff, and @StJohnsBBall for an unforgettable, historic season.
Playing the #1 team in the country in Sweet 16 and we battled our asses off!!!!!
That’s heart. That’s toughness. That’s St. John’s.
Thank you @Zubyejiofor and every single player who made this season so special.
And to all the fans, supporters, and alumni…
Johnny Nation is coming back BIGGER, STRONGER, and BETTER.
#SJUBB
Jason Fortin retweeted
The Johnnies have played 200 minutes of postseason basketball.
They’ve led 194:25
They’ve trailed for 38 seconds
Jason Fortin retweeted
Over the years I don't know if I've seen any New York college or pro athlete carry himself any better than Zuby Ejiofor has.
How the St. John’s star was shaped by four parents and found basketball greatness through one of them, a Vietnam War era refugee from Laos.
nytimes.com/athletic/7130589…
Jason Fortin retweeted
It had to be this way.
St. John's. Connecticut.
Hurley. Pitino.
Round III.
For the Big East throne.
A parting shot from MSG:
Jason Fortin retweeted
This is our city. This is our home.
The Big East Conference has been won, now The Big East Tournament Title defense, begins.
Narrated by the legendary @DeeHarrison21
An @EyeonStormPod production. #sjubb
Jason Fortin retweeted
Thank you Zuby Ejiofor.
#24 in your program, #1 in your heart.
A sincere and heartfelt @EyeonStormPod production.
Jason Fortin retweeted
Zuby Ejiofor has become the face of this era of St. John’s basketball but his growth goes well beyond the court
“I became a man in this program…Not just with the game of basketball, but just life in general.” #SJUBB
stormthepaint.com/zuby-ejiof…
Jason Fortin retweeted
Inside Zuby Ejiofor's journey to becoming transformational St. John's star: 'Everything I wanted' trib.al/3CKZbku
Jason Fortin retweeted
Zuby Ejiofor is the only high-major player in the country leading his team in points (16.2), rebounds (7.4), assists (3.5) and blocks (1.9).
He is one of only four high-major players leading in points, rebounds and assists (Cameron Boozer, Dailyn Swain and Mark Mitchell).
Jason Fortin retweeted
Zuby Ejiofor being left off the Wooden Award watch list is hard to justify.
The list seems heavily tilted toward raw scoring totals.
Meanwhile, Zuby is 3 steals away from being the only player in Division I this season to lead his team in total points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals.
He already leads St. John’s in points, rebounds, assists and blocks.
His value to the team goes WAY BEYOND statistics in terms of leadership, unselfishness, the ability to switch 1 through 5 (which reduces his rebound and block numbers) and his incredibly high motor and positive energy sets the tone for the team in every game and practice.
Jason Fortin retweeted
First St. John’s BIG BELLS Player of the Game ➡️ @DylanDarling11 🔔🔔
He earns it for his performance this past weekend at Providence 👏
Jason Fortin retweeted
Silas Demary's career highs in turnovers:
11/24/24 - 10 turnovers vs St. John's (while at Georgia)
2/06/26 - 9 turnovers vs St. John's (while at UConn)
