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Aaron Scott wanted to get out of his ‘comfort zone’ with St. John’s transfer pivot

Aaron Scott loved everything about the visit.

The campus was a few hundred miles from his home in Spring, Texas.𓂃

His sister, Liz, was on the women’s basketball ౠteam.

Oklahoma — not St. John’s — just felt right.

He committed ♔before leaving꧑ Norman that weekend in April.

“I slept on it and I woke up with a weird feeling in my gut,” the 6-foot-7 forward recalled in an interview with The Post on Saturday. “I felt like I needed to be at St. John’s. Even though it’s far away from home, far away from Texas, I ౠjust felt like I needed to be here, needed to get out of my comfort zone. So far, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made.”

He added: “I just felt like going to New Yor🧜k City, going to play for a Hall of 🌺Fame coach, is an opportunity you can’t pass up.”

Aaron Scott looks to attempt a shot during a North Texas game last season.
Aaron Scott decided to bring his talents to St. John’s. AP

St. John’s is thrilled he changed his mind.

Through summeไr and the early part of fall workouts, he has wowed the staff with his two-way ability.

They see untapped potential in him on the offensive end, and 𒆙a defensive stalwart on the other.

Coach Rick Pitino has said that Scott had the best summer of anyone on the roster, and envisions him being a critical piece to the Johnnies as a four-man who can defend multಌiple positions and stretch the defense with his 3-point shot.

But Scott won’t let that praise go to his head.

Official practices haven’t even started — that b🐻egins on Tuesday.

“That’s just one phase, we still have a season to go,” he said. “I’m going to stay c𓄧onsistent, keep being me, keep getting better, keep le🍸arning all these new [plays].”

S❀cott has had to make some adjustmentsꦦ, which was part of why he opted for St. John’s instead of Oklahoma.

Aaron Scott blocks a shot during a North Texas game last season.
Aaron Scott blocks a shot during a North Texas game last season. AP

To take the next s♈tep in his career hღe felt it was important to test himself with a new situation.

He’s living in New York Citꦓy — his first trip here came last year when North Texas played Fordham — and has visited Times Square and attended a Mets game.

The city is the polar opposite to his hometown.

Asked💛 to describe the difference, he used one word: “Crazy.”

St. John’s style is very different, too.

Scott🐻, who averaged 11 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks while shooting an even 37 percent from distance for North Texas last season, is getting used to playing in an up-tempo system after spending the last three seasons with the plodding Mean Green, who were ranked 360th in adjusted tempo.

Early on, coaches got on him for passing🧸 up shots.

“I’ve gotten so much better since I’ve been here. I’v♔e learned so much basketball knowledge𒉰, different ways to guard ball screens, different ways to help on defense,” Scott said during St. John’s 14th annual Dribble for Victory Over Cancer fundraising event on campus. “It’s been a lot of knowledge, a lot of learning here, and I feel like that can help me as I continue playing basketball.”

The decision to pass on Oklahoma for St. John’s w෴asn’t easy🐈, Scott recalled.

His sister was initially mad at him.

He had to explain the change to his parents.

But thinking back on it now, Scott is certain he made the right 💟choice.

He’s experienced new things in a n൩ew city, getting pushed by Pitino’s notoriously demanding skill deve🧸lopment sessions.

He’s on a loaded roster that includes dynamic lead guard transf🍰ers Kadary Richmond (Seton Hall) and Deivon Smith (Utah), is being coached by one of﷽ the all-time greats and has a very good chance to reach the 🎃NCAA Tournament for the first time.

“We got a whole bunch of winners on theജ te﷽am,” he said. “A lot of guys who want to win. I haven’t been to the tournament yet. That’s our main goal, just touch the tournament. If we touch the tournament, who knows what can happen in the tournament. I think it’s going to be a good year.”