New York Basketball Fans Celebrate Big News
Right now, two basketball fanbases in New York City are buzzing with excitement. The Knicks and St. John’s, in particular, are having a moment of celebration.
Late Wednesday night, news broke that St. John’s, under the leadership of Rick Pitino, has successfully recruited Tunde Yesufu from Baylor, a move that could position them as serious contenders for the Final Four next season.
Yesufu, standing at 6-foot-5, had an impressive freshman year in the Big 12 and was even projected to be a late first-round pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. But at the last minute, he decided to return to school, opting to spend his sophomore year at Queen’s instead.
This promising player will be joining guard Ian Jackson and EuroLeague point guard Quinn Ellis in what promises to be an exciting backcourt configuration. As a freshman, Yesufu averaged 17.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 1.6 assists—a well-rounded performance that turned heads.
I mean, he’s the kind of player who thrives in fast-paced situations, which should work perfectly with St. John’s up-tempo style. His explosive finishing ability is something Pitino has to appreciate.
At the NBA Draft Combine, Yesufu made quite an impression, ranking eighth in no-step vertical leaps and fifth in shuttle runs, not to mention his respectable position in maximum vertical jumps.
Jon Rothstein, a CBS Sports analyst, remarked, “Tunde Yesufu is a Big East Player of the Year candidate, and he’s a great match for Rick Pitino.” He noted that Yesufu brings a strong, physical presence, ideally complementing Ellis and Jackson on the perimeter. While St. John’s still has some unknowns, this recruitment adds a significant boost to their talent pool.
Interestingly, St. John’s has been on the lookout for a key player to round out its roster. They had flirted with the idea of adding Iowa State sharpshooter Milan Momcilovic, but it seems Yesufu always topped their wish list. And now, they’ve landed the game-changer they sought.
That same night, Pitino took a moment to celebrate, sharing a photo with his coaching staff at Lao’s, captioning it, “Celebrating the Big East championship with my hard-working friends.” With Yesufu joining the team, the dream of another league title feels much closer.
