Backup could play big role for St. John’s

Dylan Addae-Wusu came to St. John’s as an afterthought, the other recruit from Our Saviour Lutheran.

Despite a quality freshman year, he took a backseat to close friend and high school teammate Posh Alexander, the Big East’s co-Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year.

This week, the Bronx native may take center stage.

With Alexander’s status up in the air after suffering a right ankle injury in Saturday’s come-from-behind win over Butler, Addae-Wusu could be St. John’s (13-9, 5-6 Big East) starting point guard in this make-orbreak week against No. 15 Villanova and No. 24 UConn at the Garden.

If Alexander is out, and St. John’s is listing him day-to-day, AddaeWusu will return to the starting lineup after being demoted to the bench the past four games in the wake of Aaron Wheeler’s emergence.

“I consider him a starter,” coach Mike Anderson said in a phone interview. “I just want him to be able to get us into what we want to get into offensively. He’s one of our top assists guys on our basketball team.”

At least on Tuesday, St. John’s may not have to deal with a ranked opponent at full strength. Villanova could be without Big East Player of the Year contender Collin Gillespie and fellow star guard Justin Moore. Both are dealing with ankle injuries, and neither practiced on Monday. They are being listed as game-time decisions, according to Villanova coach Jay Wright.

Even if those players are out, St. John’s will be at a disadvantage without Alexander, its top playmaker and perimeter defender. Addae-Wusu, and to a lesser extent graduate senior Stef Smith, will need to fill the void. Junior star Julian Champagnie admitted Alexander’s absence “would change things a lot,” though that would be the case if any key player was out, he added.

Four-star forward Brandon Gardner of Word of God Christian Academy (N.C.) began his official visit to St. John’s on Monday. He will be in attendance for Tuesday’s game.