Mustapha Heron got the news he wanted to hear from the NCAA.
Heron will be eligible to play immediately for the St. John’s Red Storm, thanks to a legislative relief waiver from the NCAA, according to a story on the team website. Heron will not have to sit out because of his transfer from one Division I school (Auburn) to another. Heron, a Waterbury native, transferred to be closer to his mother, Talia, who has been dealing with some tough health issues.
“I’m incredibly thankful that the NCAA has decided to allow me to play right away closer to home,” Heron said in the story on the team site. “I would like to thank all of the staff at St. John’s that fought to make this a possibility for me and my family.”
“We’re very grateful for the NCAA’s decision to grant Mustapha a legislative relief waiver,” head coach Chris Mullin said in the story. “It is important for Mustapha to be close to his family during this difficult time, so providing him the opportunity to play immediately will be a great benefit as he continues to pursue his personal goals. Mustapha is a high-character young man with loads of talent who will now be able to showcase it on the highest stage.”
Heron now has the burden of waiting for an NCAA decision lifted off of his shoulders. Heron’s Mustapha Heron Skills Academy and Reading Program is hosting a preseason high school basketball tournament today in conjunction with The Hispanic Coalition of Greater Waterbury called “Shoot Hoops Not Guns.”
Heron’s exploits on the court for Auburn are well-known. He was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2016-17, then earned Second Team All-SEC honors in 2017-2018. The Tigers won the SEC regular season championship in 2017-2018.
Heron will be part of an explosive backcourt at St. John’s that could bring some magic back to Madison Square Garden this season. It should be a lot of fun to watch, especially for Waterbury basketball fans given they will be able to see Heron in action this season after all.
