Lil Wayne once wrote “Real recruiters move in silence like lasagna.” Or something like that at least. After a dearth of recruiting news to start the offseason, SLU got its first commitment yesterday. Belleville native Javon Pickett is transferring to SLU after four years at Mizzou.
Pickett, a 6’5 wing, started 86 games for the Tigers and was Mizzou’s second leading scorer last year, averaging 11.1 points per game, to go with 3.1 rebounds per game and 1.9 assists per game. Pickett shot 43% from the field and 74% from the free throw line and took on a variety of defensive assignments.
Pickett is a strong wing who is at his best driving to the basket. He’ll bring some much-needed toughness to the Billikens and will give them a player who can fight through screens and match up with athletic wings on defense. He also provides plenty of punch as a secondary scorer with his ability to get to the rim and finish. While he only shot 25% from deep last season, he can occasionally knock down shots as a spot up shooter and his free throw percentage has improved over his four years at Mizzou.
Pickett is yet another local player on the Billikens, joining St. Louis area natives Javonte Perkins, Yuri Collins, Terrence Hargrove Jr., Nick Kramer, and Kellen Thames, as well as Sikeston native Fred Thatch Jr. In fact, Perkins and Pickett have a long history of playing together dating back to fourth grade AAU ball.
Javon Pickett said Javonte Perkins’ decision to return to SLU played a role in his commitment. The two played together as far back as fourth grade. “Just seeing his game and what he can bring … really a lightbulb just went on that this was the best place to go to win.”
— stu durando (@studurando) April 12, 2022
SLU has a crowded roster of wings, with Perkins, Thatch, Hargrove, incoming Juco transfer Sincere Parker, Kramer and Thames all already on the roster, but Pickett will be an immediate part of SLU’s rotation. As a solid two-way player, Pickett will bring defense and toughness to a Billikens team that should have an explosive offense with Collins, Perkins and Gibson Jimerson, while giving SLU another threat on the offensive end as a former double-digit scorer in the SEC.
With Pickett’s commitment, SLU now has 3 scholarships left. The Billikens likely need at least one big and a combo guard. While SLU has been quiet so far, they are prioritizing Fort Zumwalt North center and former Butler commit Connor Turnbull, a 6’10 skilled big who can protect the rim. Turnbull was released from his NLI from Butler after LaVall Jordan was fired and he visited SLU on Friday.
Javon Pickett is an extremely solid addition to a SLU team with NCAA tournament aspirations. SLU is getting a super-senior who has started 86 SEC games and should be able to fit smoothly into its rotation. Travis Ford is building a very dangerous team in Midtown for 2022-23.
