From chronic tendonitis in his right knee that wouldn’t go away to his inconsistent role in the offense, very little went right for Mustapha Heron in his first season at St. John’s.
So far in year two, very little has gone wrong.
The senior guard quickly forged a bond with his new coach, Mike Anderson, lost 19 pounds in the offseason and has looked like a different player.
After a productive opener, Heron was even better in the second game of the season, scoring a St. John’s career-high 30 points as the Johnnies improved to 2-0 in the Anderson era courtesy of an 87-57 victory over Central Connecticut State on Saturday afternoon at Carnesecca Arena.
“He’s playing really efficient basketball,” Anderson said. “Mustapha is a guy who wants to be coached. I think he wants to get better. Even as I give him critiques, he responds the right way.”
The 6-foot-5 Heron reached the 20-point plateau just six times a year ago in scoring a career-low 14.6 points game and has now eclipsed that mark twice this season.
The morning after Anderson took the job, his first call was to Heron. Anderson has raved about his maturity, and as the team’s lone senior, he’s become more of a leader. You can hear his voice from press row encouraging teammates and communicating with them. He’s the same way in the locker room.
“Leadership to me is earned and I believe he’s really earned that right with his teammates,” Anderson said.
After last season ended in disappointing fashion, Heron got a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right knee, which he said has “helped a whole lot.” He rested for two weeks and then went to work, changing his diet and increasing his workouts. He cut out meat, becoming a pescatarian, and began this season at 205 pounds. Heron did research and found that he was holding himself back.
“I feel good, I feel a lot faster, a lot more mobile,” he said.
It hasn’t helped with his shot, though.
“Nah, I could always shoot,” Heron said with a smile.
He was unconscious from deep Saturday, making six of seven 3-point attempts and 10 of 15 shots overall, but he didn’t force the issue. He moved the ball, finishing with three assists and a block.
Last season, playing second fiddle to Shamorie Ponds, Heron never seemed quite comfortable in the offense, frequently waiting on the perimeter for the ball to be swung his way. This year, the revolves around him and wingman LJ Figueroa.
“We talk about him being a key component of this team, and he knows that,” Anderson said. “He embraces that.”
Heron was joined in double figures by two teammates. Figueroa added 17 points, six rebounds and six assists and freshman Julian Champagnie notched 10 points and eight rebounds. Sophomore Josh Roberts built off his impressive opener with four points, seven rebounds, four blocks and three assists and junior Damien Sears added 11 rebounds along with eight points as the positive vibes continued early on in Queens with a second consecutive blowout win to start the season.
