It’s time for Kadary Richmond to start playing like elite player St. John’s needs

Kadary Richmond wants to fit in. He doesn’t want to step on toes. He’s not forcing the issue or jacking up shots.

He’s at a new school with new teammates and new coaches, so it’s understandable, even commendable, that a player of his ilk would approach the first few games that way.

But it’s time to make others adjust to him. It’s time for arguably the best player in the country who switched schools last spring to take charge and stop deferring. The level of difficulty for 22nd-ranked St. John’s increases starting Sunday, first with New Mexico coming to the Garden, then a trip to the Bahamas to face No. 12 Baylor, No. 11 Tennessee or Virginia, and Georgia.

Richmond is St. John’s best player. The 6-foot-6 Brooklyn native is its All-American candidate. He is the team’s All-Big East first-team selection. Be that guy.