The St. John’s basketball program added its third transfer from Iona on Wednesday.
Perhaps the St. John’s basketball team will be referred to some as the Gaels next season because Rick Pitino’s first team in Queens will have an Iona flare to it.
The Red Storm landed its third transfer from Pitino’s former school in graduate transfer forward Quinn Slazinski.
Slazinski joins Daniss Jenkins and Cruz Davis to make the move from New Rochelle.
“I decided to go to St. John’s on May 9, 2021,” Slazinski told On3 regarding his commitment, pledging his allegiance to Pitino.
NEWS: Iona transfer Quinn Slazinski has committed to St. John’s, he tells @On3sports.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 19, 2023
Will follow his head coach Rick Pitino to Queens. Began his career at Louisville.
Slazinski goes in-depth on his decision here: https://t.co/P1HcctbfjF pic.twitter.com/OeyfbvYVCx
Quinn Slazinski began his career at Louisville, after Pitino’s departure from the school, for two seasons but never made a major impact until his sophomore season in which he averaged 6.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.
The Houston, Texas native posted 8.4 points per contest in his first season with Iona on 34.0-percent shooting from the floor but was limited to just seven games this year because of injury.
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Slazinski still averaged 11.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in his limited time on the floor this winter.
“When I committed to Coach Pitino, you’re signing yourself up for a lifelong friendship that goes far beyond basketball,” Slazinski told On3.
“It wouldn’t feel right playing my last year under anyone else.”
St. John’s basketball roster still with holes
St. John’s has also landed VMI’s Sean Conway and UConn Nahiem Alleyne in addition to the Iona trio.
Each of the five players only has one year of eligibility remaining with the exception of Cruz Davis.
St. John’s currently has five open scholarships remaining and the expectation is that Rick Pitino will fill each of the vacancies.
ALSO READ: St. John’s visits with 4-star guard Silas Demary Jr.
“Strap in. You are in for something that you will never expect,” Slazinski told St. John’s fans.
“Playing for Pitino, you will be able to witness unique experiences that you will remember for a lifetime.”