After spending two years at Auburn, Moustapha Heron finished his college career with two seasons at St. John’s. The 6-foot-5 guard averaged double digits in each of his four college seasons, peaking with 16.4 points per game as a sophomore with the Tigers. He averaged a career-low 13.8 points per game as a senior while shooting 38.5 percent from the field and the same mark, 38.5 percent, from 3-point range.
Heron’s rebounding numbers also fell off at St. John’s. He grabbed 6.1 rebounds per game as a freshman and 5.3 rebounds per game as a sophomore, but as a senior he notched only 2.4 rebounds per contest.
An ankle injury could explain much of Heron’s struggles in his final season. As team captain, he was called upon as a leader on and off the court as St. John’s brought in Mike Anderson as its new head coach before his senior year.
ANALYSISHeron needs to prove to NBA teams that he is healthy, first and foremost, after a forgettable season in which he never got into a lasting rhythm. Other questions exist, as well, such as whether he can develop a consistent shot against elite defenders when he sometimes struggled to do so against lesser-skilled college players. Heron was a highly touted prospect coming out of high school, and by the end of his sophomore season at Auburn it seemed that his star was on the rise. But the Connecticut native opted not to bolt for the NBA at that point, instead transferring to St. John’s to be closer to home and his ailing mother.
It remains to be seen whether Heron hears his name late in the draft, but his athleticism and leadership traits could prompt a long professional career elsewhere if he is not able to catch on in the NBA.
ProjectionLate second round or undrafted
MORE 2020 NBA DRAFT PROFILES- Desmond Bane, G, TCUYoeli Childs, F, BYUMamade Diakite, F, Virginia
–Field Level Media ()