The St. John’s basketball team has been a strange squad from beyond the arc over the past two seasons. For Lefteris Liotopoulos, that has not been the case. The Greek sharpshooter has never been afraid to let it fly, entering the program as a decorated international player.
Liotopoulos had already earned his stripes playing for Greece’s U18 national team, appearing in seven international games during the 2023 FIBA European Championship. He averaged 14.9 points per game in the tournament, consistently showcasing his shooting ability.
Liotopoulos chose the St. John’s program for a reason, the opportunity to play for legendary head coach Rick Pitino and the chance to play in New York.
The fan favorite held a minimal role during his freshman season, serving primarily as a bench option whose minutes increased when the team needed perimeter shooting. Entering his second year with the program, Liotopoulos became a major question mark: How would a pure shooter make an impact on a roster suddenly filled with players who shared similar skills?
That question has been answered quickly, driven by the consistent hard work he has put in to remain a player Pitino feels compelled to play.
It started against Michigan in an exhibition matchup featuring two of the country’s top programs. With St. John’s desperate for points in overtime and less than two minutes remaining, Liotopoulos delivered, scoring eight points in a 45-second stretch.
To begin the regular season, Liotopoulos’ role centered on providing offensive sparks, slotting into the rotation when the Red Storm needed perimeter shooting. Since then, his role has expanded, giving the Madison Square Garden crowd another player to rally behind.
“Lefty wants to play as much as anyone, and he doesn’t complain. He knows where his weaknesses are and where he has to get better,” Pitino said following the team’s January 10 win over Creighton. “He never complains. He just keeps working hard. He knows how much confidence I have in him, and he’s playing great right now.”
Prior to the matchup with Marquette, Liotopoulos averaged 11.3 points per game while shooting 52.9 percent (7-for-19) from 3-point range over a three-game stretch. He finished the win over Creighton with 17 points, leading all scorers.
“It’s great,” Liotopoulos said of his breakout performance. “As coach said, he trusts me more and more, and I’m putting in the work.”
In the win over Marquette, however, Liotopoulos saw a diminished role, playing just four minutes and not attempting a shot. The sophomore fell victim to strong performances from fellow guard Dylan Darling and Stanford transfer Oziyah Sellers, leaving Pitino with limited opportunities to find Liotopoulos impactful minutes.
Still, there is little cause for concern. If things continue to trend positively, Liotopoulos projects as a valuable contributor for St. John’s moving forward, whether off the bench or potentially in a starting role.
Last season, Liotopoulos was one of four returners to the program, surviving an offseason overhaul focused on improving the team’s offense, particularly its consistency from beyond the arc, an area where he is most comfortable.
Although Liotopoulos carries the title of sophomore, his age stands out. At just 19 years old, he is younger than freshman Kelvin Odih and fellow sophomore guard Ian Jackson. That youth provides St. John’s with additional flexibility and time to develop his game.
Pitino has made it no secret he is a fan of the Greek native, offering Liotopoulos ample opportunities early in his career. Even last season, Liotopoulos logged a season-high 17 minutes against Arkansas in one of the team’s most pivotal games during the NCAA Tournament, a sign of the trust Pitino already has in him.
“Every time he shoots it, I feel like it’s going in,” Pitino said. “He’s also getting better at driving the basketball to the basket. He’s a veteran, he played on the [Greece] national team this summer. He knows how to play the game. He’s a little weak defensively, but he’s getting better.”