When Deivon Smith gets back onto the floor for St. John’s will be a matter for the players to decide, head coach Rick Pitino said after the Red Storm defeated Harvard.
Smith, who is being punished for poorly handling his benching during St. John’s loss to Georgia, did not play on Saturday at the discretion of his teammates, according to Pitino, who left the door open for the guard to miss next week’s game against Kansas State.
“The team will decide when he is going to play,” the legendary college coach said.
Pitino said Smith was restricted to individual instruction and weightlifting this week and would return to team practice this upcoming week.
Smith joined the Red Storm after transferring from Utah and has averaged 9.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists this season.
During the loss against Georgia, it appeared that Pitino and Smith exchanged words after it looked like Smith was going to reenter the game but was instead was sent back to the bench by Pitino. Associate head coach Steve Masiello spoke with Smith following the game.
Pitino explained his handling of the situation is part of a bigger lesson.
“What I’m trying to teach every single guy in this team is to become a St. John’s man,” he said. “What we stand for, selflessness, caring for each other. That’s what I want from all of them, regardless of how they play.”
Jaiden Glover got his first real taste of minutes on Saturday, playing 18:56 seconds against Harvard. The Brooklyn native set career highs in minutes and points (11), and was even told by Bradey Dunlap that this would be “your game.”
Glover hit a buzzer-beater at halftime and shot 4-for-10 from the field.
“It’s just a first step. It’s just a building block,” Glover said.