Wayne McKoy, one of the most celebrated players in St. John’s basketball history, died on Tuesday morning. His story began long before he became a Johnnie. It began in Bayside, Queens, where an unusually tall kid found his way through childhood by turning to basketball.

McKoy was already 6-foot-4 by the fourth grade, a size that made him an easy target for bullies. Basketball offered an escape. It gave him confidence, direction, and eventually, a place where being different was an advantage rather than something to be mocked.

He had been abandoned by his birth parents in North Carolina and was raised in Queens by his aunt, Beatrice Wooten.

McKoy also found an important mentor in the Reverend Ernie Plugg, a pastor who helped guide him as he grew up. Together, they provided the support McKoy needed as his basketball talent began attracting attention.

Get the EssentiallySports Daily Newsletter. Stay ahead of the game with daily updates, exclusive stories, expert takes, and the biggest moments from the world's most popular sports.

By eighth grade, McKoy stood 6-foot-7¾. His size was extraordinary, but so was his ability. He eventually found a home at Long Island Lutheran in Brookville, L.I., where his talent quickly turned him into one of the most closely watched young players in the country.

As a freshman, McKoy averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Crusaders. That was when his high school coach, Bob Visscher, attached a comparison that would follow McKoy for years: “Better than Kareem.”

“We think Wayne is far advanced over Alcindor at a comparable age,” Visscher said late in McKoy’s freshman season, according to Mike Vaccaro.

The comparison was to Lew Alcindor, who later became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

“By the end of his sophomore year we want Wayne to be as good as [Kareem] was when he graduated high school,” Visscher added. “By the end of his senior year we want him to be as good as he [Kareem] was when he graduated college. And we think he will be.”

By the time McKoy was a sophomore in 1975, he was about 6-foot-8 and weighed 250 pounds. Frank Gilroy was among those who saw him early and understood why the hype had become so intense.

With hundreds of colleges reportedly interested, McKoy became one of the most coveted recruits in the country. St. John’s eventually won the recruiting battle.

McKoy, 68, passed away on Tuesday morning, August 18, at his home in Bayside, Queens. St. John’s confirmed his passing in a tribute, calling him “an all-time great Johnnie.” The program did not disclose any medical details surrounding his sudden passing.

Success with St. John’s but no NBA career for McKoy

Wayne McKoy joined Lou Carnesecca’s program in 1977 as one of the most highly regarded recruits in school history. He contributed immediately. As a freshman, McKoy appeared in 28 games and averaged 9.5 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting 49.8 percent from the field.

His sophomore season was even better. In 1978-79, he averaged 14.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks over 32 games, helping the Redmen advance to the Elite Eight.

The NCAA Tournament became one of the defining stages of his career. McKoy averaged 16.3 points during the tournament and scored 18 points in St. John’s unforgettable 80-78 upset of second-seeded Duke on March 11, 1979.

He was subsequently named to the NCAA Tournament All-Region Team. The next season brought another milestone.

St. John’s went 24-5 and won the Big East regular-season championship during the program’s first year in the conference. McKoy averaged 13.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks and earned All-Big East Second Team honors.

As a senior, he posted nearly identical scoring and rebounding numbers, averaging 13.9 points and 7.1 rebounds while adding 1.1 blocks per game. He was selected to the All-Big East Third Team.

McKoy left St. John’s with 1,536 points, 824 rebounds and 164 blocks in 117 appearances. He remains among the program’s career leaders in blocked shots, field goals, rebounds and points.

The professional game came next. The New York Knicks selected McKoy with the 63rd pick in the third round of the 1981 NBA Draft. But they deemed him not ready for the league. McKoy ultimately chose a different path, spending three years playing professionally in Spain.