St. John’s basketball: Rafael Pinzon becomes first to enter transfer portal

Rafael Pinzon became the first St. John’s basketball player to entered the transfer portal. 

The wheels are officially turning inside the St. John’s basketball program as sophomore guard Rafael Pinzon became the first player on the team to enter the transfer portal on Wednesday.

“First and foremost I would like to thank God for blessing me with everything I have,” Pinzon wrote in a social media post.

“I want to say thank you to the staff at St. John’s for giving me the opportunity to be a student-athlete at such a great university.”

Pinzon flashed potential during each season in Queens but could never consistently stay on the floor because of injuries and other complications.

The Long Island Lutheran star contracted COVID-19 during his freshman season which consequently caused heart inflammation that only allowed him to take the floor for 13 games.

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Ankle injuries and another bout with COVID, although not nearly as serious, limited the 6-foot-6 guard to 19 games during his sophomore campaign as he missed the final six games of the season after he was indefinitely suspended for not adhering to team standards.

“To my teammates, it was an amazing experience to play with you and wish you all nothing but the best,” Pinzon continued.

St. John’s basketball guard looking for new home

The Puerto Rico native averaged 6.1 points, 1.9. rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game this season while shooting 42.1-percent from the field and 35.6-percent from 3-point range.

“Thank you to the St. John’s fan base for all the love during my time here. With that being said, I have decided to enter the transfer portal and find a new place to call home.”

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Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino said during his introductory press conference that many of the players on the current roster would not return and he would bring as many as eight new faces to Queens this offseason.

Only center Joel Soriano is confirmed to return next season, although Pitino said he hopes to bring back redshirt freshman forward Drissa Traore, a Long Island Lutheran product.