Fired St. John's basketball GM Matt Abdelmassih says he worked 'honestly and transparently'

A day after his firing was made public, former St. John’s basketball general manager Matt Abdelmassih is attempting to clear his name and set the record straight.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Abdelmassih said that he “operated honestly and transparently, working within the parameters I was given.”

“I’m a proud St. John’s alum,” he said. “Coming back to Queens wasn’t just a job for me. This place is part of my DNA, and I approached the role with that responsibility front of mind every day.”

Abdelmassih was appointed as the general manager of the Red Storm in 2023, shortly after the hiring of Rick Pitino as the program’s head coach.

Pitino said after the Red Storm’s victory over Marquette on Tuesday night that school administrators told him he had to find a new general manager and to not ask any questions about the situation.

He also added that having to fill the role is “not a big deal.”

“During my two-and-a-half years in the role, I operated honestly and transparently, working within the parameters I was given, with one clear goal: putting together a roster capable of returning St. John’s to the top tier of college basketball,” Abdelmassih’s statement continued.

“College sports is in a complicated moment, and I took on that challenge with professionalism, care, and accountability.”

Abdelmassih played a large role in putting together last season’s Big East Championship roster, which featured transfers such as Kadary Richmond, Deivon Smith, and Aaron Scott, as well as this year’s team which had the No. 1 transfer portal class in the country according to several recruiting ranking services.

“Having my time end this way, and in a manner that doesn’t reflect my work or values, is deeply difficult for me, especially at a place that has meant so much personally and professionally,” he said.

“I leave with my head held high, grateful to the players, coaches, staff, alumni, and fans who shared in the journey. I’ll always root for St. John’s, and I’m focused now on my family and the next chapter of my career.”

St. John’s has already begun the process of hiring a new general manager, hosting Tom Ostrom at Madison Square Garden for its game against the Golden Eagles.

Including Ostrom, Rick Pitino said he’s considering three people for the position.