Sir’Dominic Pointer has an endless list of nicknames befitting his versatility.
There is Costco, Batman, WD-40. The latest one St. John’s coach Steve Lavin gave him was “the unicorn of college basketball.”
Here’s one to consider in the near future: Big East Player of the Year.
The dynamic 6-foot-6 senior forward from Detroit has emerged as a contender for the prestigious honor, leading St. John’s in rebounds (7.6) and steals (2.0) and is second in scoring (13.6), assists (2.9) and blocked shots (2.6), while shooting 53 percent from the field.
“His numbers speak for themselves,” senior D’Angelo Harrison said. “He should win. Easy.”
While Pointer hasn’t won Big East Player of the Week honors yet, which Lavin said was “surprising,’’ he’s been named to the league’s honor roll five weeks in a row, a record no other player in the league can match this season, and six times overall.
“If they had Player of the Month awards, I think he would get it for January, February,” Lavin, whose team hosts Georgetown on Saturday, said.
Though coaches are not allowed to vote for their own players, Lavin said Pointer and Villanova’s Ryan Arcidiacono (10.3 points per game) are his two favorites for the award. Providence’s Kris Dunn (15.1 ppg) and Georgetown’s D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera (15.5 ppg) are also in the running.
“To me, Arcidiacono, Dom would be the top for different reasons,” Lavin said. “Dom for our team has put up numbers that are remarkable and he’s consistently put up numbers that are remarkable.
“Arcidiacono is hard to argue, he’s the quarterback of the team that is going to win back-to-back Big East championships, and they don’t lose. I would think that Dom is somewhere on the radar when it comes to potential player of the year candidates.”
Pointer is honored to hear his name bandied about as one of the best performers in the Big East this year, but he isn’t concerned. Joining March Madness for the first time is far more important. St. John’s (19-9, 8-7) is in position to do so.
“Awards, they come, they go,” Pointer said. “The [NCAA] Tournament stays with you forever.”
Lavin said Harrison (calves) and forward Chris Obekpa (right mid-foot strain) will play Saturday and are improving physically. Both have been limited lately.
