This is exactly what LJ Figuero imagined. In this way he hoped that his senior season would progress further.
A true March Madness experience. Sweet 16 trip. An opportunity to play on the biggest stage of the game.
That’s why he relocated to Oregon.
The former St. John’s star told The Post to Indianapolis, “I think we have a good shot at going to the Final Four.” “It’s just amazing to be a part of it and watch my game grow.”
It has been a roller coaster of a season for Figuero. The 6-foot-6 wing from Lawrence, Mass., Missed the first game of the season as he awaited his eligibility apology. He was then infected with COVID-19, dealing with mild symptoms and almost missed it in January. He started slowly, hitting only two of his first 18 3-point attempts. All this while accommodating a new system with new coaches and new teammates.
“It was very disappointing to see the ball go in,” he said.
Scoring, however, has taken a back seat for Figueiro, who is career-average in points (12.6) and shot attempts (10.5), but leading Oregon in rebounding (6.2) and a career-best 39 from deep. Is shooting percentage. Surrounded by so much talent, he accepted that the matter would be taken up soon. He took three shots in his first game. Three shots in his third game. And took eight shots in his fifth game.
In that first game, a win over Seton Hall, Figuero was proud of how he played, as he had nine rebellions and three steals, and delivered an energy shock from the bench for his teammates.
“Many people think that my game is score, score, score, but this game was one of my best games,” Figueroa said. “I really wanted to show what my game is.”
This brought him in front of the coaches and teammates, but Oregon also wanted to score Figuera. It did not want him to pass the shots. It did not recruit him to be just a defensive specialist at the top of his press. He took on a secondary role himself.
“He said he wanted to win, and many people say the right things, but when they meet [on campus], Something different [happens], ”Oregon assistant coach Tony Stubblefield told The Post.
Figuero was meant to be. He was willing to sacrifice, an anchor for the team, a glue man. But the duck wanted more than that. They needed it. After some negotiations, it is done.
“He kept telling me, ‘Coach, don’t worry. If I’m open, I’m going to shoot.
Like its first season at St. John’s, as the year has passed, Figueroa has become a hotbed of crime. He has reached double figures in each of his last 10 games, averaging 16 points, 5.4 rebounds, and two stretches, with the Ducks going 8-2. In the biggest game of the year, beginning No. 2 Iowa’s second round, Figueiro certainly enjoyed his best.
He scored a season-high 21 points, hitting five 3-pointers, adding seven rebounds and three styles. He helped break up the game, scoring an 18-run nine-run inning to close out the first half.
“It helped us a lot because now it gives you the point of view of a man out of danger and who can make a shot,” said Stubble. “It helps other people in terms of opening the floor.”
Figueroa said he stays close with several of his former St. John teammates. He spoke with Mustafa Heron for a few hours the other day, jokingly realizing what it was like to play overseas, originally interviewing Heron on what his future might look like.
He watched as many St. John’s games this year, and was very impressed with the performances of Julian Champagni and Pose Alexander, the Big East freshman and co-defensive player. Many times he wondered what Johnny’s was like as he stayed.
But Figaro felt it was time to move on. He did not like how he played last season. Their game did not work. He was taking several shots. He needed a change.
“I just wanted to make sure that I could get myself in the best position,” he said.
Oregon made the most sense. This forced him out of junior college and he had considerable success with transfers. This often went deeper into the tournament, which he wanted most in his senior season.
He helped Oregon win the Pac-12 regular-season title and paved its path to Iowa. Now No. 6 USC in the Elite Eight again comes to the nation’s best team, the top-seeded Gonzaga.
“Being able to play in the Sweet 16 is amazing,” Figueiro said. “I know I can go back to my house, tell my people.” [about it], My future children, I can tell them, ‘Your dad played in Sweet 16’. “
Leave a Reply