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Former St. John’s co-captain Sadiku Ibine Ayo earns warm reception in MSG return
Former St John’s co-captain Sadiku Ibine Ayo received a tribute video and a loud ovation from fans on his return to Madison Square Garden, despite his Iona side losing heavily. The reception recognised his three seasons with the Red Storm and his close relationship with coach Rick Pitino.
Ibine Ayo began college at Iona with Pitino, followed him to St John’s and returned to Iona for his final season to play more minutes; he plans to play professionally overseas. He scored 11 points in Iona’s 104-65 defeat before 13,753 spectators, while his father watched him play basketball for the first time. St John’s forward Babacar Sane missed the game with an ankle injury that was not thought to be serious, and four-star recruit Godson Okokoh attended.
In short
- Ibine Ayo received a warm Garden welcome from St John’s fans.
- Iona lost 104-65, with Ibine Ayo scoring 11 points.
- His father saw him play basketball for the first time.
Explained simply
Madison Square Garden is the New York home court of St John’s men’s basketball team, known as the Red Storm. Iona is another New York college team, and Rick Pitino has coached both programmes.
Sadiku Ibine Ayo began his college career at Iona, moved with Pitino to St John’s and spent three seasons there, including as a co-captain. He later returned to Iona for his final college season to get more playing time, before aiming to play professionally overseas.
College players can transfer between teams, so a return to a former team’s home court can bring together fans, coaches and players from different parts of a player’s career. Ibine Ayo’s links to both programmes help explain why St John’s supporters recognised him at the Garden.