Dylan Darling Transfers to Grand Canyon for Final Season
Dylan Darling, a standout player from St. John’s University, has decided to transfer to Grand Canyon University for his last season of eligibility, as reported by on3.com.
Details regarding the financial package from Grand Canyon remain undisclosed.
Darling initially joined St. John’s after two seasons at Washington State and one at Iowa State, earning a starting position and playing a crucial role under head coach Rick Pitino.
He averaged 6.9 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game. Pitino affectionately dubbed him “Church Bell,” commending his boldness during critical moments.
However, that same aggressiveness led to a pivotal 3-pointer late in the match against Duke, which turned a potential scoring opportunity into a costly mistake for St. John’s during a narrow five-point defeat in the district semifinals.
Darling’s decision to enter the portal came as Pitino seeks to rebuild his roster following the team’s exit against Duke in the Sweet 16.
Earlier this month, Darling shared insights about his future, mentioning the importance of discussions with coaches: “We just kind of figured it all out and sat down… what’s best for us and the team.” He expressed a strong affection for St. John’s, stating, “I love St. John’s. I love the coaching staff.”
Meanwhile, St. John’s also faced the loss of Joeson Sanon to the transfer portal, yet they did secure a commitment from international talent Quinn Ellis, who is currently playing in the EuroLeague and chose St. John’s over several major offers.
Grand Canyon finished last season with a 20-12 record but missed the opportunity for an automatic bid to March Madness for the third consecutive year, losing to Nevada in their first game of the Mountain West Tournament. Darling’s transfer provides them with a valuable option at point guard for the upcoming year.
