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Zuby Ejiofor Elevates Red Storm Over Nova in Bounce-back Win

BQE Admin on March 3, 2026

St. John’s captain records first ever triple-double to blow out the visiting Wildcats

Zuby Ejiofor recorded his first ever competitive triple-double, becoming the fourth known member of St. John’s to do so. He follows Kadary Richmond’s 2025 performance, Ron Artest’s in 1999, and David Cain’s in the 1993 NCAA Tournament. (Photos by Noah Zimmerman)

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

It was wire to wire dominance for the UConn Huskies in Hartford, Connecticut last Wednesday night. After falling at Madison Square Garden a few weeks ago, the #6 team in the nation blew out the #15 ranked St. John’s Red Storm, 72-40.

For the visiting Johnnies it was by far their worst shooting performance of the season. Their 40 points were the lowest scored by either team in a Red Storm game this year. It also marked the least points ever scored by a Rick Pitino-coached team.

Joson Sanon was the only Johnnie in double figures, scoring 10 points on 3/10 shooting. The Red Storm hit just 25% of their perimeter shots and 20% of their field goal attempts. 

In the second half they only converted two field goal attempts, missing their last 24 and only scoring 14 total points. The missed-FG streak is the longest in Division 1 and the worst stretch for any nationally ranked or BIG EAST team in eight years.

“All I know is we didn’t play good offense,” said Pitino after the game. “We did things that we’ve never done. And again, that’s something I got to question about myself, and I will question it because the team did not do the things we’ve done in the last 13 games. Give [UConn] credit. We’ll move on.”

“I’ve never been through that experience,” said Zuby Ejiofor when asked to describe what happened on Wednesday night. “This loss is one that you really want to forget and move on to the next opponent because Villanova is a great team as well. Championship-level teams respond in a positive way, and my job is to make sure that we are a lot more prepared for the next opponent than we were tonight.”

St. John’s were more than prepared as they opened an early 11-2 lead against the Wildcats on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. The lead ballooned as large as 30 points in the first half, punctuated by a series of invigorating dunks.

Ian Jackson had five steals against Nova, setting a career high. He took one all the way to the bucket with an emphatic windmill jam.

All over the ball on the defensive end was Ian Jackson, who amassed an impressive three first half steals en route to a career-best five. His transition dunk was the cherry on top; an emphatic windmill slam that brought the raucous MSG crowd to their feet. Jackson scored 19, one of his best nights as a Johnnie.

Things didn’t get much easier for Villanova in the second half. Freshman forward Matt Hodge went down with an injury later confirmed to be a season-ending ACL tear, and despite his teammates coming to life and briefly cutting the deficit to 20 points, the Red Storm maintained a comfortable advantage.

In the waning moments of the matchup, Zuby Ejiofor put the finishing touches on a dominant night. With just over three minutes to go he found Joson Sanon for a midrange jumper, tallying his 10th assist.

Zuby knocks down a deep jumper against Villanova. He was firing on all cylinders, dominating on offense and defense.

The MSG crowd roared once more as Ejiofor celebrated his first ever competitive triple-double. The Red Storm captain scored 16 points with 12 rebounds to go with his career-high in assists, also picking up three blocks and a steal on the defensive end.

Zuby’s triple-double marks just the fourth in St. John’s history. He followed Kadary Richmond’s 2025 performance, Ron Artest’s in 1999, and David Cain’s in the 1993 NCAA Tournament.

On the same day as Zuby’s, Richmond picked up his first professional triple-double with the Capital City Go-Go in the NBA G League. Another senior from last year’s Red Storm squad, Deivon Smith, recorded his own the following day for the G League’s Santa Cruz Warriors.

Rick Pitino brought out the white suit for Saturday night’s contest. It delighted the sold-out MSG crowd, who gave him a standing ovation.

The Red Storm out-assisted Villanova 26-11 and out-rebounded them 40-26. It was complete dominance and a much-needed bounce back win as St. John’s heads into their season finale this Friday night in New Jersey.

Following an emotional senior night on Tuesday against Georgetown, all that’s left to decide the BIG EAST regular season championship is the Red Storm’s contest against the Seton Hall Pirates and UConn’s matchup with last place Marquette.

If UConn and St. John’s finish tied, the Red Storm will likely claim the top seed for the BIG EAST Tournament due to their sweep against Creighton. The tournament runs from March 11 to the 14 at Madison Square Garden.

On Mondayís AP College Basketball Rankings the Red Storm slid to #18, with UConn back up to #4. Villanova is also receiving votes and should appear in the NCAA Tournament later this month.

JJ: “Good Midseason Report Card, but Final Grade All That Matters”

BQE Admin on February 18, 2026

New York, New York

By John Jastremski

We have reached the All Star break of this 2025-2026 NBA season.

As a whole, I’d say the Knicks are basically right around where I thought they would be at this point.

They are 35-20 and have the third best record in the Eastern Conference. 1/2 game back of Boston for 2nd place & 6 games back of upstart Detroit for 1st.

The narrative around the team is actually quite similar to where we were a season ago.

Last year, it was the struggles with the Boston Celtics that appeared incredibly problematic.

This year, it happens to be the Knicks’ struggles with the Detroit Pistons. In both matchups this year, the Knicks have been absolutely dominated and it sounds the alarm of concern for Playoff Time.

For me, I’m not there with that narrative. Last year was the perfect lesson for why I am not. 

The Celtics won all 4 matchups with the Knicks in the regular season. The Knicks flipped that vibe on its head winning the 2nd round playoff series in 6 games.

Yes, the Knicks play the Pistons this coming Thursday. I’d prefer to see the Knicks win that game and silence this building narrative.

That said, the bigger concerns for the team moving forward are these:

  1. How do you mask the defensive deficiencies of Jalen Brunson and Karl Anthony Towns on the floor together?
  2. How do you get Karl Anthony Towns back offensively to where he was a season ago?

If the Knicks can solve those two riddles, they will be playing in the NBA Finals. If they don’t, they will be soul searching in a big way this summer.

The Knicks midseason report card grade is a solid B, but it will be a monstrous swing between now and the spring.

For a group that’s been knocking at the door the past few seasons, the only grade that matters is the final.

Stay tuned for the result!

You can listen to my podcast New York, New York on The Ringer Podcast Network every Sunday/Thursday on Spotify/Apple Podcasts. You can watch me nightly on Honda Sportsnite at 11 PM on SNY.

Nets One of a Few NBA Teams to Honor Black History

BQE Admin on February 18, 2026

Brooklyn hosts one of the best Black History Month celebrations of 2026

It was Black History Night at the Barclays Center earlier this month as the Nets took on the Chicago Bulls! Photos: Christian Spencer

By Christian Spencer

sports@queensledger.com

The Brooklyn Nets are one of the few NBA teams this year to host a Black History Month game, showing how the franchise’s identity is deeply rooted in its Black heritage. 

On February 9, the team celebrated that identity with a 123–115 win over the Chicago Bulls, in-arena performances, and a special appearance by Nets legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving.

The evening was not just a game, but a veritable indicator of Brooklyn’s influence on Black culture, basketball, and community.

Fans watched a tight contest that swung both ways before the Nets closed it out with crisp late-game execution and balanced scoring down the stretch. 

Beyond the scoreboard, the game highlighted Black generations and community traditions that have shaped Brooklyn’s identity. 

African dancers opened the night with bright colors and pounding drums that energized the arena and set a vibrant tone.

A cookout-style dance-off followed, as Boomers, Gen X, Gen Y, and Gen Z playfully competed over which generation produced the best music and moves during a pregame “Black Family Reunion” activation staged with Brooklyn-based platform The Lay Out. 

The Nets hosted a pregame fireside chat on Black health and wellness, where artist and entrepreneur Styles P spoke with local community groups about mental, physical, and emotional healing. 

KBT Temple and Praise performed Lift Every Voice & Sing and the National Anthem before tipoff, and the Brooklynettes and Team Hype honored Black social dance at halftime alongside the New York Liberty’s Timeless Torches, bridging generations. 

The programming was a copious investment in Blackness that extended beyond the court.

Before the halftime show, fans were welcomed by NBA legend Julius Erving, popularly known as Dr. J. 

Though his appearance was brief and silent, the arena erupted in cheers as the iconic player watched his hometown team secure a meaningful win during Black History Month. 

Dr. J’s presence was especially fitting: he won championships in both the ABA and NBA and inspired generations of players, including Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, and Vince Carter. 

His Nets jersey — No. 32 — hangs in the rafters.

Julius Erving was honored during the game. His Nets jersey sits in the rafters at the Barclays Center.

Other NBA teams also hosted Black History Month-themed games. 

The Boston Celtics celebrated with the NBA Pioneers Classic against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 1, honoring the league’s first Black players, according to The Boston Herald.

The Bucks followed with their Black Excellence Game versus the Bulls on February 3, according to TMJ4, NBC Milwaukee, while the San Antonio Spurs marked Black Heritage Night against the Dallas Mavericks on February 7 with in-game spotlights and community programming, according to The Associated Press.

The Atlanta Hawks’ Black History Month game versus the Washington Wizards is scheduled for February 26. 

Even so, the Nets’ February 9 game offered one of the most performative celebrations, reflecting a season-long commitment to honoring Black culture.

As Brooklyn Downtown Star previously reported, the Nets’ embrace of hip-hop culture separates them from most franchises. 

The team collaborates with the Notorious B.I.G. estate, with the Brooklyn Camo City Edition uniforms — first introduced in 2018–19 and revived for the 2025–26 season — paying tribute to the late rapper and his Bedford-Stuyvesant roots. 

The arena reflects Brooklyn’s hip-hop legacy, from Biggie-themed nights and halftime programming to the influence of Jay-Z, who advocated for the team’s return to Brooklyn.

No Love Between St. John’s & Providence on Valentine’s Day

BQE Admin on February 18, 2026

Heated brawl breaks out in Providence as Red Storm win 11th straight

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

It was a heated affair on Valentine’s Day as the St. John’s Red Storm looked to avenge their lone BIG EAST loss of the season. This time in enemy territory, the Johnnies looked to fend off a physical Friars team that handed them a 77-71 loss at Madison Square Garden to kick off 2026.

The arena was a powder keg as Bryce Hopkins made his return to Rhode Island after transferring to St. John’s for his final year of eligibility. It felt like something was destined to happen after the first matchup between the Johnnies and Friars, and the home crowd was on their toes waiting for that spark.

That spark came five minutes into the second half of a tight ballgame, as the former Friar was fouled hard from behind. The aggressor, Providence’s Duncan Powell, was quickly swarmed by red shirts as he and Dillon Mitchell took swings at each other.

Six total players were ejected from the game. For the Friars, Powell and graduate guard Jaylin Sellers were thrown out, with the former handed a three-game suspension for “combative actions.” 

St. John’s went without Mitchell for the majority of the second half, ejected for attempting to punch Powell. Ruben Prey, Sadiku Ibine Ayo and Kelvin Odih were tossed for leaving the St. John’s bench during the scrap.

Still, for the visitors, the grit needed to win came between the lines, rather than in extra-curricular activities.

“We didn’t initiate anything,” commented Head Coach Rick Pitino after the game. “We talked about toughness as not turning the ball over, creating steals, getting offensive rebounds. That’s what we believe toughness is, and that’s all we talked about throughout the entire time.”

Pitino, who previously coached at Providence and led the Friars to the Final Four in 1987, was disappointed in the home crowd, who seemed bloodthirsty.

“I think the crowd lost objectivity of what they’re here for,” he said. “If they’re just here to poke fun at Bryce Hopkins and not get a win for the Friars, that’s not the Friars I remember in ‘87.”

Play resumed after a 20-minute delay, and the Red Storm quickly asserted themselves. Free throws and a quick bucket. They would keep their foot on the gas and see out the win, 79-69. It was the 11th consecutive victory for St. John’s dating back to their loss to Providence. Compared to the Johnnies, Providence has lost all but three contests since their upset win at MSG.

“I feel like we responded in the best way possible,” said Zuby Ejiofor, who finished with 14 points to lead St. John’s starters. “We were without [four] of our players and you know, Dylan [Darling] does what Dylan has been pretty much doing for a big stretch now. So I’m really proud of the guys, knowing how we competed for 40 minutes.”

Darling finished with a game-best 23 points, also picking up eight rebounds and three steals. 17 of those points came in the second half, where he was instrumental in the visitors pulling away and maintaining a lead down the stretch.

Darling’s play has been instrumental during the current winning streak and it’s clear St. John’s will need their dynamic guard performing come postseason in both the BIG EAST and NCAA tournament.

“Somebody needed to step up, I just try to bring energy,” said Darling about his performance. “We knew we needed to focus on every small detail to win the game, and that was really just our focus.”

On Monday Darling was named Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Player of the Week, following Ejiofor who won the honor the week before. Darling also picked up his first appearance on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll.

The Johnnies are back at MSG this weekend to finish the season series with the Creighton Bluejays. Tip-off is set for noon on Saturday the 21. 

After this weekend, only a pair of home games remain in the Red Storm schedule. On February 28 they welcome Villanova to Madison Square Garden, before hosting Georgetown in their penultimate regular season matchup on March 3.

Next week the Red Storm head back to New England, this time to play the #5 UConn Huskies in Hartford, CT. It’s sure to be another thrilling contest with the St. John’s streak still going strong and UConn looking to answer following their defeat earlier this month.

From the Archives – August 26, 2021: “Former Christ the King Star Jose Alvarado Signs with Pelicans”

BQE Admin on February 12, 2026

Plenty has changed from CTK to Georgia Tech and the Pelicans, but Alvarado’s tough style of play hasn’t. (Photos from D1Scout.com, ramblinwreck.com, & @PelicansNBA)

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

Five years ago, Jose Alvarado was named CHSAA Player of the Year, turning heads at Christ the King High School in Middle Village. Now the Brooklyn native is on his way to an NBA career, recently signing a two-way contract with the Pelicans.

“When I first met him I thought he was a win at all cost player, the ones I love,” said Christ the King head coach Joe Arbitello. “I knew he would be successful at whatever he chose to do. It’s not a surprise to me he’s in the NBA.”

Alvarado was a four-star recruit out of high school, landing at Georgia Tech under head coach Josh Pastner. In his first year he averaged 12 points, the fourth most by a GT freshman.

By his senior year, Alvarado was averaging 15.2 points and 2.8 steals, a tough player on both sides of the ball. He was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year as Georgia Tech finished 4th in the conference before making a run for the ACC championship.

“Jose is a hard worker, a real hard-nosed individual,” said Pastner. “Coaches love guys like him. He does all the little things to help you win games, fights for every 50/50 ball. That’s what made him Defensive Player of the Year and back-to-back steals leader, the first in the ACC since Chris Paul.”

Up five in the final seconds of the championship game, Alvarado sealed the title with a steal and assist.

“This is why I work my butt off,” said an emotional Alvarado after the game. “A lot of people doubted me. I wasn’t supposed to be in the ACC, but coach took a chance on me,”

Not many players in his situation end up in the NBA, but on draft night, Alvarado knew he had a chance.

“I worked out for 17 different teams and honestly I didn’t know who was going to pick me,” said Alvarado. “I knew the chances of getting drafted were pretty low, but as the process went I started to feel that this might happen, I might get my name called. When I got the phone call it was a dream come true, like a number one pick for me.”

While he didn’t end up picked in the top 60, Alvarado was a part of the Pelicans’ draft day plans. They kept a keen eye on him as they dealt their final pick of the draft, later picking up the Yellow Jackets star.

New Orleans was one of the most comfortable pre-draft workouts for Alvarado, who kept busy in the months leading up to the draft.

“It felt really good,” he said. “They welcomed me with open arms and good energy. It was a good fit, not forced or anything, one of my best workouts easily.”

In the NBA Summer League, Jose took the floor looking to prove he belonged on the roster. In his five games, he did exactly that, leading the team in steals, blocks, and rebounds per game while finishing second in points and assists.

Alvarado’s energy was contagious and he remained confident as ever on the ball. While he has plenty of growth to do, he got valuable experience to learn the speed of the pro game.

With his NBA career on the horizon, Alvarado still looks back to his time hooping in his hometown.

“New York is always gonna be my home, when I go to Christ the King, they’re always gonna be my family. They show so much love because they know my story, they were there with me. My story’s different from a lot of others because not a lot of guys like me get a chance to make it. Where I’m from, that’s never happened.”

Alvarado’s stats may not pop off of the box score, but his effort, dedication, and heart certainly stand out on the court. He knows his role and he plays it well. Whether starting, coming off the bench, or training with the team, the Pelicans are lucky to have Alvarado on board.

“I’m 6-foot on a good day, don’t have the craziest length, I can’t jump up and jam, don’t have the best jump shot, but I give my heart out and I’ll give it my all every time,” he said. “I play like I’m 7-foot and I play like I’m jumping out of the gym.”

This article was originally published on August 26, 2021. Alvarado was traded to the New York Knicks on February 5, 2026.

red Hot red Storm Take Down #3 Huskies at MSG

BQE Admin on February 12, 2026

St. John’s soars to #17, beats Xavier in OT

St. John’s senior Bryce Hopkins drives from the perimeter against UConn. Photos: Noah Zimmerman

By Noah Zimmerman

Noah@queensledger.com

St. John’s were finally able to pick up their first ranked win of the season, and it came against their toughest opponent of the year. On Friday night, the Red Storm welcomed their rivals, the #3 UConn Huskies, to the world’s most famous arena.

On the back of an 8-game winning streak, St. John’s began their ascent back up the national rankings after an unceremonious plummet from the top-25. They were tabbed at #22 in the nation ahead of Friday’s matchup.

It was an electric night at the Garden, drawing by far the loudest crowd with a primetime sellout. Fans were involved in every play, both on offense and defense. Visiting UConn supporters were noisy as well, with trash talk aplenty between the rival fanbases.

Red Storm wing Joson Sanon plays tough defense on UConn’s Solo Ball. Huskies head coach Dan Hurley is animated on the sideline.

Zuby Ejiofor was unbelievable in Friday’s contest. The St. John’s captain recorded another double-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. He added a trio of blocks and a pair of steals on defense for a terrific all-around game. Ejiofor was named BIG EAST and MWPA Player of the Week for his dominance against DePaul and UConn, adding fuel to his push for conference Player of the Year.

Bryce Hopkins and Dillon Mitchell helped Zuby with 15 and 14 points, respectively. The trio combined for 17/26 shooting and 22 of the Red Storm’s 32 rebounds. Off the bench Dylan Darling continued to put together a remarkable second half of the year, adding an efficient 9.

Hopkins gets to the glass for a bucket. He finished with 15 points.

For the Huskies it was senior Alex Karaban who really impressed. The forward went up against one of the top frontcourts in the nation and picked up an efficient 17 points on 7/10 shooting (3/4 from downtown). Silas DeMary Jr. led the Huskies with 18 points, but the UConn guard was hounded all game, resulting in 9 turnovers.

While they got help from the other starters, UConn’s bench only managed to score six combined points, nine less than the Red Storm reserves.

In the final minutes the Red Storm were unable to gain significant ground. Karaban brought the Huskies within a pair of points, but St. John’s were just barely able to keep ahead thanks to terrific defense down the stretch.

It was a short turnaround, but on Monday night Rick Pitino welcomed his son Richard and the Xavier Musketeers to MSG.

Fatigue looked to play a role as the Red Storm couldn’t hold a significant lead through the opening half. Every score had an answer, with Xavier hitting big shots to level the game at multiple points, including a three right at halftime to make it 42-42.

A focal point of the Red Storm defense was limiting Musketeers forward Tre Carroll, who scored 31 in the first matchup against St. John’s. The FAU transfer was held to just four points in the opening frame.

St. John’s made sure to keep Tre Carroll off the board in the first half, limiting him to 4 points. The Musketeers star scored 31 in their first matchup.

Bryce Hopkins stepped into a critical defensive role late, helping contain Carroll and other Xavier bigs and prevent a 2nd half collapse. He made a few terrific stops, but St. John’s just couldn’t get the game squared away as Xavier forced OT.

In the extra period, Xavier’s foul trouble finally got to them. On consecutive defensive possessions Jovan Milicevic, Isaiah Walker, and Malik Messina-Moore picked up their 5th and final personal fouls. Carroll scored 17 in the 2nd half but was kept from attempting a single shot in OT.

Zuby and Hopkins bullied Xavier on defense and drew fouls on the other end before the game was finally punctuated by an Oziyah Sellers fastbreak to make it 87-82.

It was a tough battle but St. John’s were able to pick up the win in an overtime battle, 87-82.

Rick Pitino picked up win #904, passing Roy Williams for 3rd on the all-time NCAA Division I wins list. Still, with the game going to overtime, Pitino wasn’t fully pleased with the effort.

“I hate getting any milestone against him but I go away tonight saying my son is a hell of a coach,” said Pitino postgame. “To say my son is a great coach is much more pleasing than any number of victories.”

The Red Storm will hit the road for three of their next four matchups. On Valentine’s Day the Johnnies have a date in Providence with the Friars, looking to avenge their lone BIG EAST defeat. Then on the 18th they head to Milwaukee to take on the basement-dwelling Marquette.

St. John’s returns to Madison Square Garden on February 21 to finish their season set against the Creighton Bluejays.

Nets Battle Jazz in Salt Lake as Trade Deadline Looms

BQE Admin on February 5, 2026

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

The Nets travelled out West last week for a trio of matchups to finish off a lackluster January. After going 7-4 in December, Brooklyn lost 14 of their first 16 games in 2026. They were able to break a 7-game losing streak in Salt Lake City, but a dry January saw Brooklyn back near the Eastern Conference basement.

It wasn’t a flashy affair in Utah, as the Nets and Jazz each entered with 34 losses. Lauri Markkanen didn’t suit up for the hosts after playing on back-to-back nights earlier in the week. Michael Porter Jr. missed the game for personal reasons after scoring 38 in his return to Denver the night before. 

Still, the game was an entertaining one as the Jazz kept within reach. The arena was full for the Friday night matchup despite the two bottom-dwelling teams featured. Part of the draw was Nets rookie Egor Dëmin, making his return to the Beehive State after starring as a freshman at BYU.

Dëmin put together his best professional performance in Utah’s capitol. He set career highs with 25 points and 10 rebounds to record his 1st double-double, also setting an NBA rookie record with 34 consecutive games with a made three pointer.

The Russian rookie was phenomenal from start to finish, hitting 6 threes, keeping the ball moving, crashing the boards, and even throwing down a delightful dunk. While his 3-pointer streak came to an end on Sunday in Detroit, he has shown tremendous potential as a young sharpshooter who can contribute in all aspects of the game.

Dëmin wasn’t the only Nets rookie to showcase their skills last Friday. Making his 6th NBA start was Danny Wolf, who came up with 14 points and 5 boards. Starting for the 2nd time in his career was Nolan Traoré, who brought great energy despite his shot not quite falling (6 assists and 2 blocks).

The other Nets to score in double figures were Cam Thomas with 21 and Day’ron Sharpe with 16. Thomas provided 14 straight points for Brooklyn to help them seize control, also finishing with 4 assists. Sharpe pulled down 9 rebounds, including a game-high 3 offensive boards.

Jazz youngsters also showed off for the home crowd, led by third-year guard Keyonte George’s 26 points and 7 assists. Fellow third-year Brice Sensabaugh added 18 off the bench, second-years Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier scored 14 and 10, respectively, and prized rookie Ace Bailey scored 12 with a pair of rebounds and steals.

Still, despite a wealth of young talent, the Jazz have had a hard time breaking out of mediocrity. This year it’s in part due to Walker Kessler’s season ending surgery, but even with their many lottery picks they sit well out of reach of the Western Conference play-in.

Finishing with the worst record in the league guarantees a draft pick no lower than 5th overall, and the three worst teams will each have a 14% chance of picking 1st overall. Following Monday’s games, Brooklyn’s record sat at 13-35, level with Washington and ahead of only the Pacers (13-37), Pelicans (13-39), and Kings (12-39).

While they’re not likely to ensure a top-5 pick, the trajectory of Brooklyn’s rookies and arsenal of future selections makes the future quite promising. Perhaps the most interesting moments of the Nets season will come this week with the NBA’s trade deadline.

All moves will be final at 3pm on Thursday, February 5, and it may include some high profile names like Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden. The Nets have some valuable players to offer in Michael Porter Jr., Nic Claxton, Day’ron Sharpe, and Cam Thomas, as well as a NBA-best 10 tradable 1st round picks. 

Should the Nets sell at the deadline they are sure to remain in contention for a top pick, but even if they use their assets to make a splash they’ll be in a great position moving forward.

Nets Turn Kids Day into Full-On Playground

BQE Admin on January 15, 2026

Kids Day at the Barclays Center was a riveting success, full of dancing, performances, and fun! (Photos: Brooklyn Nets)

Michael Porter Jr. Leads Brooklyn Past Nuggets

By Christian Spencer

The Brooklyn Nets’ outreach to young fans centers on community engagement designed to put Brooklyn kids at the forefront of the game-day experience.

The Nets earned a 127–115 win over the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 4, the team’s first home game of the new year.

But the Kids Day matchup at Barclays Center—broadcast on the YES Network at 3 p.m.—was part of a broader effort that extended beyond the final score.

“The Nets Kids Games are one of many touchpoints—alongside digital content, community programs, and in-arena experiences—designed to help young fans feel connected to the team,” said Andrew Karson, executive vice president of marketing for Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment.

“Kids respond to what feels current and authentic, so staying culturally relevant and listening to how they engage is key to building long-term relationships.”

The first 5,000 children through the doors received Kids Day giveaways, including kid-friendly keepsakes.

The first few thousand kids through the doors got “blind box” giveaways!

Inside the concourse, families had access to select concession items—pretzels, popcorn, and soft drinks—priced at $5, lower than the usual cost at NBA games.

Compared with the New York Knicks, whose fan base is long established, the Nets continue to focus on localized engagement.

That includes school-based programming tied to science and technology education, literacy initiatives such as Read Across Brooklyn, and recurring park and neighborhood events in communities including Bedford-Stuyvesant.

“By meeting families and youth where they are and authentically reflecting Brooklyn’s many cultures, we look to cultivate meaningful connections that extend well beyond game day,” Karson said.

Kids Day programming also put young fans at the center of the entertainment. Youth performers appeared during halftime and in-game breaks, and a kid reporter joined the broadcast.

Performances featured kids dance teams and a kid reporter!

“When families experience moments together at Kids Days, Practice in the Park, or community events, those moments become part of their history with family and friends,” Karson said. “Our goal is for today’s young fans to one day return with families of their own, carrying that sense of connection and tradition forward across generations.”

Beyond the Barclays, the Nets extend their reach through programs like NETSTEM, a supplemental STEM curriculum for elementary and middle school students, and Brooklyn Basketball, a joint youth program with the New York Liberty.

Across the street, a combine was held at the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center.

“Even for kids who don’t pursue the sport long-term, the memories they create, the lessons learned and the relationships they form will endure,” Karson said.

These programs are designed to meet kids at every stage. At the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center, after-school sessions for boys and girls ages 6–17 provide both basketball training and mentorship.

Each experience focuses on building confidence, teamwork, leadership, and a sense of belonging.

“This layered approach allows kids to grow with us, develop life skills along the way, and deepen their connection to the Nets and Liberty over time,” Karson said.

The team is also heavy on its digital content and interactive experiences, bringing young fans closer to Nets experience.

“By sharing behind-the-scenes access and telling connective stories on their favorite platforms, we’re able to spark early connections that can mature into long-term fandom,” Karson said, describing the team’s outreach across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

During the Kids Day game, the Nets were also promoting Michael Porter Jr. as a candidate for the upcoming All-Star Game, with many young fans already familiar with him through TikTok and Instagram, including his presence alongside rapper girlfriend Ice Spice.

MPJ’s star power is resonating with younger audiences, and with the Nets developing their young players and building momentum under head coach Jordi Fernández, the Kids Day celebration reflected learning, enthusiasm, and creativity.

Johnnies Down Bluejays

BQE Admin on January 15, 2026

Best shooting night of the year gives the Red Storm a big road win over Creighton

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

The St. John’s Red Storm picked up vital BIG EAST wins on the road last week, defeating the Butler Bulldogs in Indianapolis before taking down the Creighton Bluejays in Omaha. Coming off a brutal loss to Providence, Rick Pitino and his team are looking to reestablish themselves and catch fire for an important stretch of conference play.

The win in Nebraska was done by way of aerial assault, playmaking, and rebounding. The Red Storm knocked down 12 threes and won both the assist and rebounding battles.

Seven of the St. John’s three-pointers came off the bench, with Lefteris Liotopoulos shooting 5/8 from downtown and Dylan Darling hitting 2/4. The Red Storm finished with 52.2% shooting from deep, by far their best mark in what’s been a relatively rough season from the floor.

For Liotopoulos, the past few BIG EAST matchups have been a good opportunity to earn important minutes in the rotation. The Sophomore out of Greece recorded his second double-digit scoring performance of the year on January 6 at Butler (10 points, matching Dec. 13 vs Iona) before using his sharpshooting to set a career high with 17 against the Bluejays in Omaha.

The back-to-back conference wins are just the beginning if St. John’s wants to steady a rocking ship. The #4 UConn Huskies are going to be very difficult to catch, already 6-0 in BIG EAST play and in order to secure a tournament bid they’ll need to finish near the top of a competitive conference.

Following Tuesday’s matchup with Marquette the next two contests for the Red Storm are on the road against 2nd place Villanova on Saturday and next Tuesday at MSG against 3rd place Seton Hall, who broke into the nation’s Top 25 this week.

“After the loss [to Providence] we gathered together and said, ‘we’re not going to lose anymore,’” said Liotopoulos following the win over Creighton. “We were great in practice, aggressive with a lot of energy and that translated on the court.”

The goal is set, and now it’s time for the Red Storm to deliver. Can they start the transformation of MSG back into the fortress it was last season, and can they do it in emphatic fashion against the rival Pirates?

Happy Net Year! Brooklyn Turns the Page With 7-4 December

BQE Admin on December 31, 2025

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

While their winning came to an end with Monday’s loss to the Golden State Warriors, the Brooklyn Nets were able to close out their first month above .500 of the season, their third in the last three seasons.

It’s been a drastic 3-month turnaround for Brooklyn, going winless in five October matchups before a woeful 3-11 November. Since then, a switch has flipped. In addition to their strong shooting, Brooklyn maintained the best defensive rating in the NBA during the final month of the calendar year. They finished 7-4, with impressive wins against the Raptors, 76ers, and Timberwolves.

Already riding a 6-3 stretch into Minnesota, the Nets took on their toughest foe of the month. They only shot 28% for three, but interior scoring helped bring their total FG% to 55%. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 28, while Jaden McDaniels added 16. Both were terrific on the defensive end.

Leading Brooklyn off the bench was Cam Thomas, his first game back after missing 20 with hamstring issues. It was his 30th time scoring 30 points in a game, shooting an efficient 9-15 and adding 4 assists and 3 rebounds. Thomas scored 12 straight Brooklyn points in the 3rd Quarter, helping them pull away late for a 123-107 win.

Back home to play the middling Warriors in their 2025 finale, Brooklyn had much less help from the second unit. The bench only added 27 points on 36% shooting, compared to 62 with 64% shooting against the Wolves.

The Nets put together a pair of 10-0 runs in the 1st but couldn’t pull away as Jimmy Butler and Steph Curry powered the Warriors to a 120-107 win. 

It was a tight physical matchup the whole night, with some phenomenal shooting by Michael Porter Jr. and Egor Dëmin. As well as another stellar all-around game from Nic Claxton.

Porter Jr.’s 56% shooting helped him to a team-leading 27 points while Brooklyn’s top draft pick matched his NBA best with 23 points. All of Dëmin’s made field goals came from beyond the arc, setting a Nets rookie record with seven three pointers. Claxton scored 15 points, tallying 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks.

In his second game back, Thomas produced significantly less in 19 minutes off the bench. He seemed overeager to put up shots despite a focused defensive effort to stop him, shooting 5-12 and finishing with 13 points and 2 assists.

The Warriors shot efficiently in the 4th quarter and a strong effort to stay within reach finally petered out for Brooklyn. They fell for the 20th time this year, an unfortunate finish after dominant play the rest of the month

Cam back off the bench

In his two games back, Cam Thomas showed the positive and negative side of his impact. When his shots are dropping like in Minnesota, he can easily provide a winning spark. When he fixates on getting shots up like against Golden State, he can be taken out of the game and made a detriment on both ends of the floor.

Since Brooklyn began to really turn the ship around in his absence, many were quick to suggest Cam’s ball-dominant playstyle as a culprit. Saturday’s win over Minnesota showed that Cam is more than capable of fitting into this Nets playstyle and providing exactly what Jordi Fernandez needs to lead the second unit.

Alternatively, there are games like Monday’s, where Thomas puts up a game-worst +/- at -24. When he doesn’t get the shots to fall and can’t fit the team’s flow, Thomas turns from a bonafide bucket to a tank engine.

If Brooklyn gets the good side of Thomas over the next month, they’ll be in a fascinating position. While they’re positioned to maximize their first round draft pick in 2026, they may not be sellers at the trade deadline as many expect. General Manager Sean Marks has shown hesitation to deal players and assets without clear benefit, and between Porter Jr. clicking in his first year in Brooklyn and Claxton turning the page, some of his most valuable assets may be ideal building blocks for the future.

Chris DeMarco in the building

Also on the Barclays Center hardwood on Monday night was Chris DeMarco, the new head coach of the New York Liberty. In his final game as an assistant with the Warriors, DeMarco was spotted chatting with Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez before tip-off and taking photos with the Golden State coaching staff after the final buzzer.

With the new year comes DeMarco’s new role, and the longtime Dubs assistant has officially closed that chapter of his career. Now DeMarco shifts his focus to the team taking the floor later in 2026, with a busy offseason still playing out.

“I love Barclays, I love what they’re building with the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center across the street,” DeMarco said after his final NBA game. “It’s a beautiful thing to see and it’s a growing league, I’m just excited to get started.”

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