The Ruben Prey X-factor that could make St. John’s dangerous

Zuby Ejiofor is the headline to fifth-ranked St. John’s robust frontcourt, the Big East preseason player of the year. 

Dillon Mitchell and Bryce Hopkins are the flashy additions, talented and established transfers from Cincinnati and Providence, respectively. 

They make it easy to overlook Ruben Prey, one of only four returning players from the best Johnnies season in 25 years. 

But few players on the roster have progressed as much as the 6-foot-11 forward from Portugal. Coach Rick Pitino has said that Prey and North Carolina transfer Ian Jackson are the Red Storm’s most improved players since the summer. 

“His low-post game is certainly a great deal better. He came in here as a nondefender and now he can defend all five positions,” Pitino said. “He’s gone from a typical European basketball player, where defense is not the focus — more passing, cutting, scoring is the priority — and he’s adjusted to being a well-rounded basketball player at both ends of the floor.” 

Asked how they turned Prey into a quality defender, Pitino joked: “Fear.” 

Prey showed his progress in a recent scrimmage open to the media and again in the team’s exhibition win over Towson. He is a more confident player, more sure of himself, more aggressive. 

“I feel like we work in player development every day,” Prey said. “It makes a big difference after one year if you work on it every day, day by day. After a year you’ll see the results. 

“I think the difference between college basketball and European basketball is the physicality of it. I think I’ve adapted already to the physicality. Every European goes through it.” 

Perhaps most importantly, Prey fits into how St. John’s wants to play. He’s a terrific athlete for his size, and can switch defensively, able to defend on the perimeter and serve as a rim protector in the paint. 

It will be interesting to see how much Prey plays this coming season, considering the options Pitino has up front. He is the team’s fourth forward.

But in the Towson game, Pitino wasn’t afraid to play three of his big men together, going an extended stretch with Hopkins, Prey and Mitchell on the floor at the same time. 

Prey isn’t worried about his role or minutes. That will come as long as he produces. 

“I think I can help the team a lot,” Prey said. “So I don’t tend to think too much about the future and about playing time, because I know you’ll always get opportunities during the whole year. So I’m just trying to get ready and be the most ready when those opportunities come to me.” 

Prey began to feel comfortable late last season, and his playing time increased. He hit a big 3-pointer in the regular-season title clincher against Seton Hall and became a key reserve for Pitino. He was one of the best Johnnies players in the NCAA Tournament loss to Arkansas.

Now, the hope is Prey is ready to make a leap as a sophomore.