Deivon Smith has been searching for success during his entire college career and now has finally experienced it with the St. John’s basketball program.
On his fourth school and in his final year of eligibility, Smith is going to the NCAA Tournament, but it came with some bumps along the way.
He was suspended for one game earlier in the year due to a violation of team rules and has dealt with a nagging shoulder injury since January which has forced him to miss five games. Still, he wouldn’t change anything.
“Best Decision I’ve Ever Made!!,” he posted on X prior to the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on Sunday afternoon.
Best Decision I’ve Ever Made!! 🫶🏽🏆❤️ pic.twitter.com/TPPIuZmyry
— Deivon Smith (@sneakgod) March 16, 2025
“It's a blessing,” he said after the Red Storm were announced as a No. 2 seed. “It’s a dream come true moment with a special group of guys. I'm just soaking it all in.”
The only postseason basketball Smith has played in was the NIT during his freshman season with Mississippi State and senior season at Utah, this moment and everything that comes with it is what he has been waiting for since arriving in Queens.
“I just wanted to find a home to win and achieve certain goals of winning, not personal goals, just to win. I'm happy I took a leap of faith.”
It was St. John’s or nothing for Smith. He was put through an individual workout session as soon as he got off the plane for his recruiting visit and at that moment, he knew this was the place for him to take the next step in his career.
“I knew in order to take my game to the next level I had to put the grind in, not only by myself but if Coach [Pitino] could get out there and work us out every day, that just showed how dedicated he is to the game and to us.”
Smith didn’t take any other visits or calls from schools after that. He was a Johnnie.
Kadary Richmond committed a few days later and the magical season for the Red Storm began shortly after.
However, Deivon Smith’s availability for the NCAA Tournament was not always clear. After sitting out the regular season finale against Marquette due to his shoulder there was conversation if he should remain sidelined for the Big East Tournament and prepare for March Madness, but Smith was never on board with that.
After St. John’s quarterfinal victory of the Big East Tournament, he said he has no intentions of missing a game again this season. Smith got popped twice by hard screens in the championship game against Creighton and sat for the final five minutes but said he could have gone back in the game.
He reiterated on Sunday night that he was good and will be ready to go on Thursday (9:45 p.m. ET, CBS) when St. John’s (30-4) opens the NCAA Tournament against Omaha (22-12).