A new St. John’s basketball season unofficially begins today as players report back to Queens for its summer workout program and there will be a lot of new faces for the Johnnies this winter.
If you didn’t pay as close attention to the moves Rick Pitino made this spring, the Red Storm landed the top transfer portal class in the nation and added some high school prospects very late in the recruiting calendar.
However, the influx of players to the program had to do with the high number of departures from its history making roster a year ago. The three players who were leaving St. John’s no matter what were Kadary Richmond, Deivon Smith, and Aaron Scott due to eligibility restraints.
Each player has participated in workouts with NBA teams ahead of the NBA Draft next week, but none are currently projected to be drafted.
The players who opted to return to St. John’s this offseason shouldn’t be overlooked, headlined by All-Big East center Zuby Ejiofor. Ejiofor, the likely Preseason Big East Player of the Year, as well as a potential All-American, will anchor the Red Storm in the paint and hopes to build upon his sensational junior season.
The former Kansas transfer is joined by Sadiku Ibine Ayo, who remains a team captain with Ejiofor entering 2025-26, and the international sophomore duo of Ruben Prey and Lefteris Liotopoulos, who are expected to take another step forward in their developments.
Now a deep look at the fan favorites and familiar faces that elected to depart St. John’s this offseason and what the outlook could be on their seasons entering the fall.