Key Returners:
Zuby Ejiofor
Key Newcomers:
Ian Jackson, Oziyah Sellers, Bryce Hopkins, Dillon Mitchell, Joson Sanon, Dylan Darling, Kelvin Odih
Key Losses:
RJ Luis, Kadary Richmond, Aaron Scott, Deivon Smith, Simeon Wilcher, Brady Dunlap
Roster:
Reasons for Optimism:
Rick Pitino is an all-time great. But unlike some other all-time greats still coaching around the country, Pitino is still near the top of his game. It took him just two years to get St. John’s back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, and he’s led the Red Storm to a 21st and 14th place KenPom finish, the 2nd and 3rd best marks in the KenPom era. Last season, he led the Johnnies to their first Big East regular season title since 1992 and first Conference Tournament title since 2000. The man just wins.
Since returning to college, Pitino has outperformed his KenPom preseason rank five out of five times. He loses Big East Player of the Year RJ Luis this season, but a stellar transfer class and a roster dripping in talent should be enough for him to outperform yet again.
St. John’s has one of the most talented rosters in the country, and Pitino’s signature tenacious defense should be alive and well with the size and athleticism oozing out of every pore. The Johnnies’ defense was ferocious last year, a high-pressure nightmare that protected the rim, bothered ball handlers, and shut down just about every action it faced. Kadary Richmond’s departure hurts, but there’s plenty of size and defensive upside.
Success on both ends this season starts with Zuby Ejiofor, a 1st Team All-Big East performer and a potential National Player of the Year in 2025-26. He took a gigantic leap in production last season after barely playing at Kansas, proving to be one of the most dominant big men in the country. Ejiofor is a monster on the glass – #3 in OR% in the Big East – and a tough defender. On offense, he lives at the line and is a challenge to stop in the post.
Fellow returner Sadiku Ibine Ayo likely slots into a similar complementary role, but don’t rule out Pitino giving him more run due to his ability to hit the 3 and provide tough perimeter defense. Ibine Ayo just has a ton of competition for playing time with Pitino’s star-studded incoming transfer class.
Five of Pitino’s transfers would start for almost any team in the country. Ian Jackson, Oziyah Sellers, Dillon Mitchell, Bryce Hopkins, and Joson Sanon are an embarrassing gluttony of riches at Pitino’s disposal. How they co-exist and gel will determine the team’s ceiling.
Jackson earned ACC All-Rookie honors last year at UNC, expected given his top 10 5-star pedigree. He wasn’t mega efficient, but he had some very impressive stretches like an 8-game run between late December and mid-January where he averaged 22.7 PPG. Jackson is a gifted scorer who could explode in his sophomore season and lead the team in scoring. He also likely handles the ball a lot, a newer role to which he’ll need to acclimate quickly. Jackson’s defense is a major question, but Pitino can develop anyone.
Sellers blossomed at Stanford in a bigger role following his transfer from USC. He shot 40% from deep on good volume, music to any SJU fan’s ears following the team’s bricktastic 2024-25. Catch-and-shoot will be his primary role here, but Sellers also showed he was an excellent mid-range assassin on pull-ups last year, ranking in the 96th percentile in mid-range FGA% and the 82nd percentile in mid-range FG%.
Sellers and Jackson will compete with Sanon for backcourt minutes. Sanon was a top 25 recruit who chose Arizona State for some reason out of high school (why do guys keep doing this?). He showed off immense potential at ASU, but he’ll need to reel in his shot selection a bit, as he is a certifiable gunner offensively. Improvement around the rim is also a must, as Sanon ranked in the 10th percentile in FGA% near the rim and the 8th percentile in FG% (just 42.3%).
The frontcourt transfer tandem of Mitchell and Hopkins could be one of the nation’s best, assuming full health. Mitchell is one of the most impactful defenders in the sport and has true “can guard 1 through 5” ability. While not a shooter or big-time offensive weapon, Mitchell more than makes up for that on the defensive end where his athleticism, physicality, and activeness shines. He’s a Rick Pitino dream.
Hopkins’ play will go a long way towards determining St. John’s ceiling. He was 1st Team All-Big East back in 2023 and a preseason All-American in 2024 before suffering a season-ending injury. Another injury last year held him out most of the season. If he’s healthy, he’s a legitimate All-League player and #1 option on the offensive end, a big three-level scorer who the Johnnies can play through alongside Ejiofor.
Causes for Concern:
The offense will improve this season – there’s simply too much talent not to. But concerns remain about overall shooting on the roster and point guard play. Last year’s offense was brutal and relied heavily on transition and the offensive glass to score. The glass will once again be a source of scoring, as will transition, but the halfcourt execution must improve. The Johnnies ranked just 326th in Rim + 3 Rate on offense last per ShotQuality and the lack of ball movement and shooting caused stagnation issues.
Pitino has downplayed the point guard concerns this offseason, but that is 100% coach speak. Last year’s Duke team was the exception, not the rule, and most successful college basketball teams have a reliable point guard. As it stands, SJU will be ball handling by committee, using a combination of Jackson, Sellers, and Sanon to initiate offense. But don’t be surprised if the only actual point guard on the roster – Dylan Darling – steps into a feature role.
Darling is the reigning Big Sky Player of the Year and led Idaho State to its best season since 2007. He’s not the most touted transfer, but he could very well play the most minutes at PG, as SJU might be starved for a metronome that provides consistency. Darling is rock-solid with the ball – he doesn’t turn it over (even against elite competition), and he led the Big Sky in assist rate last year. The fact that he can shoot is just icing on the cake, though he doesn’t exactly fit Pitino’s defensive mold.
European returners Ruben Prey and Lefteris Liotopoulos will provide more offensive options off the pine. Prey was a well-regarded recruit coming into college last season, but he wasn’t ready for a major role. He showed flashes of what he could be and is too skilled not to take a sizable jump this year (if the playing time is available). Liotopoulos will struggle to get on the floor, but he is a source of shooting Pitino can tap in a bind.
Pitino’s three freshmen have uphill climbs to playing time, but there’s been multiple whispers about how good Kelvin Odih has been this offseason. A 4-star guard, Odih is big, aggressive, and has a college-ready frame. He’s a gifted athlete and has the “dog mentality” that fits so well with into a Pitino squad.
Austrian wing Imran Suljanovic and Swedish guard Casper Pohto round out the backcourt depth. Suljanovic is a skilled shooter with passing chops. Pohto (Kenny Pohto’s brother) is a 3-star combo guard.
Bottom Line:
The talent is too big to fail on St. John’s this season, and the perfect coach to handle all that talent happens to already be sitting on the sidelines. Expect Pitino to lead yet another fantastic season and threaten for the program’s first Final Four appearance in 40 years.
