Chris Mullin tabs Iowa State assistant to join his St. John's staff

New St. John's hire Chris Mullin has brought on former team manager Matt Abdelmassih, the New York Daily News reported.

New St. John's men's basketball coach Chris Mullin has brought on former team manager Matt Abdelmassih as an assistant coach, the New York Daily News reported Tuesday. 

Abdelmassih, who announced the move in a twitter post, graduated from the school in 2007. He was an assistant coach for the past three seasons under coach Fred Hoiberg at Iowa State.

Abdelmassih could play a potential role in landing New York-area blue-chip recruit Cheick Diallo, the report said. Diallo is thought to be considering both St. John's and Iowa State, and Abdelmassih had played a significant role in his recruitment thus far at Iowa State. 

• St. John's, Steve Lavin mutuall agree to part ways

The move marks Mullin's first major hire since accepting the Red Storm head coaching position Sunday.

Mullin played for St. John's from 1981-85, and was the program's all-time leading scorer at the time of his graduation.

He played in the NBA for 16 seasons with the Golden State Warriors and Indiana Pacers.

- Will Green