The final result didn’t go in Sadiku Ibine Ayo’s favor, but it was a memorable return to the Garden nonetheless for the former St. John’s co-captain and Rick Pitino favorite.
Prior to tipoff, St. John’s honored Ibine Ayo with a tribute video, and the Johnnies fans gave him a loud ovation.
“It was nice, seeing what I did here is being appreciated,” Ibine Ayo said after the Red Storm’s 104-65 rout of his Gaels on Sunday in front of 13,753 at the Garden. “The fans applauding was nice and I appreciate them for that.
“It was amazing. I’m always the one telling my teammates after every game to clap to the fans. Whenever I see a St. John’s fan out, I tell them I appreciate what they’re doing.”
Ibine Ayo started his college career with Pitino at Iona, came with him to Queens and spent the past three years at St. John’s. He returned to Iona for his final season to play major minutes. He plans to play professionally overseas.
Ibine Ayo and Pitino remain very close. Pitino considers him another son, and his grandchildren refer to him as “Uncle Diku.”
There was another reason Sunday was special for Ibine Ayo, who grew up in Ghana and attended high school in The Bronx at Our Saviour Lutheran. His father, Ibine Ayo, was in the crowd.
“It’s amazing, man. This is the first time he’s seen me play basketball,” Sadiku Ibine Ayo, who scored 11 points in defeat, said. “It’s something, coming from where I came from, I’ll always cherish.”
Forward Babacar Sane (ankle) didn’t play. The injury doesn’t appear serious. … Godson Okokoh, a four-star forward recruit from Bella Vista College Prep (Ariz.), was in attendance for the game.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
