RJ Luis (NBA Draft)
There has been so much chatter around RJ Luis since his disappointing ending to the St. John’s season against Arkansas in the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.
After he was benched for the final five minutes, Luis announced he would be entering the NBA Draft while also putting his name into the transfer portal. Throughout the pre-draft process, Luis was steadfast in his belief that he would be remaining in the draft instead of returning to college to play for another team and he was proven right.
Despite not being projected to be selected in the NBA Draft, Luis opted to begin his pro career immediately.
The former UMass transfer caps his St. John’s career with one of the best individual seasons in recent memory for the program, winning the Big East Player of the Year and being a consensus Second Team All-American.
Trying to fill the scoring void that RJ Luis is leaving will be a big challenge for the Red Storm but it’s something that Rick Pitino believes he accomplished in the transfer portal.
Simeon Wilcher (Texas)
One of the most surprising departures from the St. John’s roster this spring was Simeon Wilcher’s decision to enter the transfer portal after early indications appeared to signal that he would be staying with the Red Storm.
Wilcher, a member of Rick Pitino’s first high school recruiting class, started 25 games last season and averaged 8.0 points per game but struggled with consistency of his 3-point shot, making just 29.7-percent.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, there were some struggles with the physicality and strength of other Big East guards, but Wilcher never backed down from the challenge. Now, he will have a massive test every night as he joins Sean Miller’s debut season in the SEC at Texas.
Brady Dunlap (Saint Louis)
Much like his teammate and classmate Simeon Wilcher, Brady Dunlap was one of the most popular players on the St. John’s roster, but he was limited to just ten games this season due to multiple injuries.
In fact, Dunlap only played in 35 games during his two seasons with St. John’s and a transfer to the Atlantic-10 could be just what the California native needs. A chance at consistent playing time for a quality mid-major program could have him back with a power conference team in a year.
It’s also important to note that Dunlap received a medical redshirt for his hardships this season, meaning he still has three years of eligibility left.
While sometimes there are broken relationships and hard feelings when a player enters the transfer portal, that is not the case with Brady Dunlap whatsoever. There is still a strong connection between Dunlap and the Red Storm program, he is just hoping Saint Louis’ style of play fits him better than that the Johnnies were doing in Queens.
Vince Iwuchukwu (Georgetown)
Buzzer beaters are exciting in basketball, but Vince Iwuchukwu’s buzzer beater was the wrong kind for St. John’s.
Just hours before the deadline for player to submit the paperwork to enter the transfer portal, Iwuchukwu announced his intentions to leave St. John’s. He stated earlier in the offseason that he would not be leaving the Red Storm but its pursuit of other players in the portal created less playing time for the former USC standout.
Now, Iwuchukwu remains in the Big East and will be the focal point of a Georgetown team that will have a lot of pressure to perform this season under Ed Cooley. The 7-footer will be tasked with trying to replace superstar freshman Thomas Sorber, who entered the NBA Draft, and try to compete at the top of the Big East this season.
At least two matchups against St. John’s will be on the calendar for Vince Iwuchukwu, something you can guarantee he is looking forward to.
Jaiden Glover (Saint Joseph's)
Jaiden Glover spent just one season with St. John’s before hitting the portal and landed at a very familiar face for the former 4-star recruit.
Glover was very close to picking Saint Joseph’s over St. John’s during his high school recruitment and now gets to represent the Hawks this season, hoping to show that potential that he flashed in Queens.
The Brooklyn native is a superior athlete with the ability to hit the 3-ball and a chance in the A-10 could highlight what he does well on the basketball court.
A wrist injury cut his season with the Johnnies short, playing in 22 games while averaging just 6.4 minutes and 2.2 points per game but gets a fresh start in Philadelphia with head coach Billy Lange.
Khaman Maker (DePaul)
Another center from the St. John’s roster elected to remain in the Big East as Khaman Maker committed to DePaul shortly after entering the transfer portal.
It seemed like Maker was going to redshirt this season, but he entered a game in December – ironically against the Blue Demons. He never played in another game but has potential with his size, listed at 7-foot-2.
It’ll be interesting to see how Maker gets used by Chris Holtmann this season, who appears to have the Blue Demons on the right track after years of unwatchable basketball.
Now, a detailed look at the players that Rick Pitino brought in to St. John's to try and replace those who left the program.