St. John’s Basketball Under Rick Pitino
Since Rick Pitino took over as head coach, St. John’s men’s basketball has seen significant changes. However, time is not on Pitino’s side; he’ll be 74 before the 2026-27 regular season starts, making him the oldest head coach in a power conference—several years ahead of Tom Izzo at Michigan State, Rick Barnes at Tennessee, and Kelvin Sampson at Houston.
Under his leadership, St. John’s earned a No. 2 seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament but faced an early exit in the round of 32. Last season, they managed to win the Big East tournament again, though they were eliminated in the Sweet 16 as a No. 5 seed during March Madness. Pitino is working tirelessly to assemble a team capable of reaching the Final Four before he steps down, and recently, the Red Storm added what might be the final piece to an impressive new roster.
Tunde Yesufu, a wing from Baylor, had been seen as a likely candidate for the 2026 NBA Draft for most of his freshman season. However, doubts about his three-point shooting and playmaking ability saw him drop in rankings. When he entered the transfer portal, it raised questions about whether a college program could offer more than the NBA. Surprisingly, he withdrew from the NBA draft just before the college withdrawal deadline and opted to transfer to St. John’s for a significant amount of money.
According to journalist Aaron Heisen, Yesufu will reportedly make “more than $7 million” playing for St. John’s next season. It’s a staggering figure, yet it reflects the current landscape of college athletics.
Yesufu is just what St. John’s needed: a tenacious defender who can also score. With a physique resembling a linebacker rather than a traditional basketball player, his large frame has drawn comparisons to Lou Dort of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite some evident weaknesses in his game, he averaged nearly 18 points per game as a freshman, primarily because he finishes strongly at the rim (68.5 percent) and possesses a solid midrange game. His three-point shooting, however, raises concerns, sitting at 29 percent. If he can improve in that area, there’s potential for him to be a first-round pick in the relatively weak 2027 NBA Draft.
While Yesufu might not be the best ball handler or passer, St. John’s has players who can fill those roles. Quinn Ellis, the point guard hailing from Olimpia Milano, is noted as one of the top young talents in the EuroLeague. The transition to college basketball at 22 will be intriguing, and he could emerge as one of the premier guards. Ian Jackson is another standout returning to the Red Storm, also recognized as a McDonald’s All-American from high school, similar to Yesufu.
With Syracuse moving Donnie Freeman to the frontcourt, St. John’s is adding versatility in playmaking, shooting, and perimeter defense to its upcoming lineup.
The center position remains uncertain, but the team has several options to explore. Ruben Prey, a 6’11” big man from Spain, has always shown promise, and his junior year could be his breakout season.
It’s remarkable to see the financial dynamics in college basketball today. The Johnnies invested significantly to secure one of the best players in the country, rather than allowing the NBA to win out.
