St. John's basketball, under Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino, is undergoing a significant roster rebuild after a standout season that ended with a 30-4 record and a second-round NCAA Tournament exit. Pitino recently secured a commitment from North Carolina transfer Ian Jackson, a five-star guard and one of the top players in the transfer portal. Following the departure of key players, including leading scorer RJ Luis Jr., Pitino's focus is on filling critical positions, particularly at point guard.

By the Numbers
  • St. John's finished the previous season with a 30-4 record.
  • Ian Jackson averaged 15.3 points per game during his 12 starts at North Carolina.
State of Play
  • St. John's is actively reshaping its roster with multiple transfers, including recent additions Oziyah Sellers, Bryce Hopkins, and Joson Sanon.
  • Key players from last season, including Kadary Richmond and Deivon Smith, have also departed, intensifying the need for new talent.
What's Next

With the transfer portal still open, Pitino is expected to continue pursuing additional talent to strengthen the team for the upcoming season.

Bottom Line

St. John's rebuild under Pitino is gaining momentum with promising transfers, particularly Ian Jackson, as the program seeks to retain its competitive edge after a successful season.