Pitino Highlights Sellers’ Unique Skills
Rick Pitino, known for his pioneering role in the 3-point shooting trend, embraced long-range shots when the NCAA introduced them back in the 1986-87 season. He famously led Providence through an unforgettable Cinderella story to the Final Four.
A Hall of Fame coach, Pitino has trained some of the nation’s finest shooters over the years. His first national championship came with Tony Delk, the Most Valuable Player who boasted an impressive 44 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
Now, at St. John’s University, Pitino sees something extraordinary in senior Oziyah Sellers — a player unlike any he’s coached before.
“So far, he’s been our best shooter,” Pitino shared recently. “His stats during player development sessions are off the charts—the best I’ve seen in my coaching career.”
This season, Pitino wants to showcase Sellers’ talent widely.
Sellers had a solid season at Stanford last year, averaging 13.7 points and hitting 40.1 percent from three-point range, making 4.2 attempts per game.
However, in the early games this season, Sellers has only taken three 3-pointers, unfortunately missing all of them.
“He doesn’t shoot enough threes,” Pitino noted. “Opposing teams are wary of him. Yet, he missed several open looks during our game against Alabama. He needs to make those for the team to succeed.”
In limited time at USC, the guard had previously shot 42.9 percent from deep, so there’s definitely potential there.
“I think he’s still adjusting to a different playing style,” Pitino mused. “But he’s smart. I believe he’ll figure it out soon.”
Meanwhile, point guard Dylan Darling is set to return for Saturday’s game against William & Mary after missing the last match due to a calf strain. He had previously led the team with six assists and three steals during the opener against Quinnipiac.
“He’s ready to go,” Pitino confirmed. “We’re all in.”
Danis Jenkins is another former player of Pitino’s, having joined him from Iona to St. John’s. Now playing for one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, Jenkins has transitioned well. After a quiet rookie year with the Pistons, he scored 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a recent overtime win against the Wizards.
In his first career start, he played 40 minutes against the Bulls, recording 18 points and 12 assists. “It’s fantastic to see him thriving,” Pitino expressed. “Two strong performances in a row—everyone is really proud of Danis Jenkins.”
