St. John’s basketball adds UConn National Champion Nahiem Alleyne

St. John's basketball guard Nahiem Alleyne (Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports)
St. John's basketball guard Nahiem Alleyne (Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports)

The St. John’s basketball program added National Champion Nahiem Alleyne to its roster. 

A roster that holds championship pedigree is always a bonus and the St. John’s basketball team added a veteran piece to its backcourt with plenty of experience.

UConn National Champion Nahiem Alleyne announced his commitment to the Red Storm on Sunday night after spending one season with the Huskies after being a member of the Virginia Tech Hokies the prior three years.

Alleyne played in 39 games for the National Champs, starting eight, and averaged 5.2 points and 1.2 rebounds per game while shooting 36.2-percent from the field and 30.5-percent from 3-point range.

Both shooting percentages were career-lows for the 6-foot-4 graduate transfer after he made at least 37.3-percent of his attempts from distance at Virginia Tech.

ALSO READ: St. John’s lands VMI transfer Sean Conway

“Nahiem is a veteran coming off a national championship,” head coach Rick Pitino said in a press release.

“He has had great success at both Virginia Tech and Connecticut, and he is a wonderful addition to our roster.”

The Buford, Georgia native scored six points in the National Championship but struggled in his two games against the Johnnies this season, registering only one point in St. John’s win over UConn and eight points when the Huskies topped the Red Storm.

“Nahiem has strong fundamentals at both ends of the floor,” Pitino added.

St. John’s basketball finding success in transfer portal

St. John’s has officially announced the additions of Daniss Jenkins, Sean Conway, Cruz Davis, and Nahiem Alleyne as all four players have joined Rick Pitino and the Red Storm from the transfer portal.

All players except Davis are graduate transfers.

ALSO READ: St. John’s lands another Iona transfer in Cruz Davis

St. John’s is also retaining Joel Soriano, Drissa Traore, and Mohamed Keita from last season’s roster.

Expect for the St. John’s staff to continue to add players from the transfer portal while also looking into high school prospects that have recently decommitted from their previous schools.