Basketball in New York City during the late nineties felt different. It was loud, gritty, and deeply personal. At the center of that whirlwind was a kid from Queensbridge named Ron Artest. Most people know him now as Metta Sandiford-Artest, the NBA champion who thanked his psychiatrist after hitting a dagger three in Game 7 for the Lakers. But before the name changes and the world-class defensive reputation, he was the heartbeat of Alumni Hall. Ron Artest St. John's days were short—just two seasons—but they remain some of the most electric years in the history of the Big East.
Honestly, he wasn't just a player; he was a force of nature that coach Mike Jarvis had to somehow harness.
The Hometown Hero Stays Home
When Ron Artest committed to St. John's in 1997, it was a massive win for the program. You have to remember, this was a McDonald's All-American who grew up just a few subway stops away. He could have gone anywhere. But Artest chose to stay in the borough.
His freshman year under Fran Fraschilla showed everyone exactly what Queens was about. He didn't just play basketball; he bullied people. Standing 6'6" and built like a middleweight boxer, he was a nightmare for opposing guards and forwards alike. He finished that first year averaging 11.6 points and 6.3 rebounds, earning a unanimous selection to the Big East All-Rookie Team.
He played with a chip on his shoulder that you only get from playing pickup games at the Riis Center. It was physical. It was sometimes volatile. He once wore a court jester hat on team road trips just because he felt like it. That was the beauty of Ron.
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The 1998-99 Season: One Game Short
By his sophomore year, the Red Storm was a different animal. Mike Jarvis had taken over the whistle, and the roster was loaded with talent like Erick Barkley, Bootsy Thornton, and Lavor Postell. But Artest was the engine.
That 1998-99 season was legendary. They went 28-9. Artest was a stat-sheet stuffer before that was a trendy term. He averaged 14.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and a wild 4.2 assists per game. Think about that—a "small forward" leading the break and finding open shooters like a seasoned point guard.
The Triple-Double that Still Stands
On January 9, 1999, against Seton Hall, Artest did something that hasn't been repeated in Queens for over 25 years. He recorded a triple-double. It’s crazy to think that in all the years since, through all the great players that have worn the jersey, nobody has matched that feat for the Red Storm.
The Elite Eight Heartbreak
The tournament run was the peak of the Ron Artest St. John's era. They absolutely dismantled Samford and Indiana, then ground out a tough win against a very good Maryland team to reach the Elite Eight.
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They were so close.
In the regional final against Ohio State, St. John's trailed by nine with 90 seconds left. They fought back to within one point with 12 seconds on the clock. It was a chaotic, frantic finish that ended in a 77-74 loss. Artest was devastated. He had given everything, and the dream of a Final Four in his own backyard was gone in a flash.
Why He Left Early
There wasn't much suspense after that loss. On April 11, 1999, Artest stood in the Riis Center—the very place he learned to play—and announced he was going to the NBA. He was 93 points shy of 1,000 for his career.
"I'm going to get a job," he told the crowd. He was a mathematics major who loved the school, but the Chicago Bulls were waiting with the 16th overall pick.
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His college stats are a testament to his versatility:
- Total Points: 907 (13.1 PPG)
- Total Rebounds: 433 (6.3 RPG)
- Total Assists: 221 (3.2 APG)
- Field Goal %: 44.5%
- 3-Point %: 35.5%
People often overlook his shooting. He hit 92 career threes, which at the time ranked him seventh all-time at the school. He wasn't just a defender; he was a complete basketball player who could initiate the offense, post up smaller guards, or lock down the opponent's best scorer.
The Legacy of a Big East Legend
In 2025, the Big East finally recognized him as a "Big East Legend" at Madison Square Garden. It was a full-circle moment. Whether you call him Ron, Metta, or any of his other names, the impact he had on New York City basketball is undeniable.
He represented the toughness of the city. He wasn't polished, and he wasn't always easy to coach, but he was authentic. He was the kid who turned down a trip to Paris as a teen because he promised to play in a wheelchair basketball benefit. That's the Ron Artest St. John's fans remember.
If you’re looking to understand the DNA of St. John’s basketball, you start with the 1999 team. You start with the defensive intensity that Artest brought to every single possession.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to relive this era, go find the highlights of the 1999 Sweet 16 game against Maryland. Pay attention to how Artest handles the ball—he was essentially a 240-pound point-forward long before the NBA became obsessed with that archetype. You can also visit the St. John's Athletics archives to see the full game-by-game breakdown of his 1999 triple-double performance.