Max Hooper

				Class: Sophomore Hometown: Carmel Valley, Calif. High School: Brewster Academy (N.H.) Last College: Harvard Height / Weight: 6-6 / 202 Position: Guard/Forward Experience: Tr. Twitter: @STJ_Basketball

On Hooper: A long-range assassin with the ability to light up the scoreboard ... a sizable, talented swingman with the ability to create his own shot or make plays for others ... unable to participate in St. John's games until the 2013-14 season due to NCAA Division I transfer rules ... able to participate in all Red Storm practices and team activities.

Steve Lavin On Hooper: "Max is a high-percentage 3-point shooter with the size and skill to playmake over the top of defenses. A relentless worker, he seemingly lives in the gym, refining his shot and developing his overall game. He has played in winning programs his entire career, from Mater Dei to Brewster Academy and Harvard this past season. Max's ability to stretch defenses with his shot will be an asset to our offensive scheme."

At Harvard: Played in two games as a part of the Crimson's 19-man NCAA Tournament roster in 2011-12.

Before College: Earned varsity letters in basketball at Brewster Academy (2010-11, Wolfeboro, N.H.), Mater Dei High School (2009-10, Santa Ana, Calif.) and Valley Christian High School (2006-09, San Jose, Calif.) ... while at Brewster during his postgraduate year in 2010-11, averaged 10.0 ppg on a squad that saw Hooper and seven teammates move on to NCAA Division I programs ... helped Brewster and coach Jason Smith's squad to a 31-3 record that season and appearances in both the NEPSAC semifinals and national prep school championship semifinals ... an all-state honoree in four high school seasons ... as a senior at Mater Dei in 2009-10, was an All-Trinity League and All-California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) selection ... keyed Mater Dei to a 26-game win streak ... established the highest single-season 3-point shooting percentage in school history by drilling 49.5 percent of his attempts from long range in his final season ... completed his four-year high school career with 313 3-pointers ... coached at Mater Dei by Gary McKnight ... as a junior at Valley Christian in 2008-09, was tabbed to the West Catholic Athletic League (WCAL) team ... also named to the San Jose Mercury News all-area team ... a three-time recipient of the Scholar-Athlete Award.

Personal: Maxwell Edward Hooper ... born in Carmel, Calif. ... son of Laura and Chip Hooper ... has one sister, Valerie (17) ... valedictorian of postgraduate class at Brewster Academy in 2011 and delivered the Ivy Address ... major is undecided but contemplating psychology.

Up Close With Max Hooper
Nickname: Swoosh.
Favorite movie/TV show: "The Office" and watching basketball games.
Favorite actor/actress: Will Ferrell and Steve Carell.
What's on my iPod/mp3 player: A great variety of music.
Favorite food: Anything from Uncle Jack's Steakhouse.
Favorite place to hang out on campus/NYC area: Taffner Field House.
Favorite class: History 1017.
Favorite book: "Into The Wild" by Jon Krakauer and "Training Camp" by Jon Gordon.
Since coming to St. John's I've learned: The importance of listening skills.
Greatest athletic accomplishment: Earning a scholarship to St. John's.
Hero/role model(s): My dad.
Favorite athlete: Ray Allen.
Favorite St. John's athlete: Chris Mullin.
I came to St. John's because: I want to play basketball at the highest level while getting to experience a great place like New York City.
Best thing about St. John's: Being around my teammates and striving to be great in basketball, academics and life.
Few people know that: I have a catalogued shoe collection of over 300 pairs.
Craziest thing you've done: Room with JaKarr Sampson.
One word to describe me on the court: "Hard-working."
One word to describe me off the court: "Focused."
The St. John's basketball player that will surprise you this year: Christian Jones.
After St. John's or after basketball career I'd like to: Play in the NBA, then become a basketball coach.
If I could have dinner with three people (history or today): Ray Allen, John Wooden and Michael Jordan.
Favorite quote: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit."
Funny superstitions/pregame rituals: Go through my shooting routine.
If I were president for the day I would: Invite the St. John's team to The White House.
The teammate that inspires me is: D'Angelo Harrison.
If I could switch places for a day with any person (real or fictional) I'd be: Erik Spoelstra so I could see what it is like to coach the Heat on a day-to-day basis.
If I wasn't playing basketball I'd be: Coaching basketball.