Rick Pitino names two captains for upcoming St. John's basketball season

Leadership has been the big question surrounding the St. John's basketball team during the preseason and things became a little more clear as to who would be the leaders of the Johnnies throughout the year on Thursday afternoon.

Rick Pitino posted on social media that he has named Seton Hall transfer Kadary Richmond and junior forward Zuby Ejiofor as the captains of the squad for the upcoming season. The Hall of Famer added that the decision was a "team consensus."

Nearly a month ago at new athletic director Ed Kull's introductory press conference, Pitino said it was his "biggest concern" about the team filling the leadership void of Daniss Jenkins. The Red Storm also lost its captain Joel Soriano, who Pitino pegged with the title at his introductory press conference in March 2023.

"Although [Kadary Richmond] has a very good personality, he speaks softly but carries a big stick," Pitino said on September 17.

The tone around Richmond's leadership changed on Monday following an intrasquad scrimmage at Madison Square Garden when Pitino said that the Seton Hall transfer was the most respected player in the locker room.

Pitino added on social media that Richmond had his best practice of the season on Wednesday by shooting 10-of-11 from field, 4-of-5 from 3-point range, and 3-of-4 from the free throw line with five rebounds, six assists, and five steals.

"Simply annihilated everyone...Awesome performance and worked his [butt] off."

The Red Storm head coach described Zuby Ejiofor as "gregarious" last month but has shown tremendous improvement in his performance on the floor as well as leadership qualities since his debut season in Queens.

Rick Pitino did not confirm the full starting lineup for the Johnnies but did say that both Richmond and Ejiofor would be starters.

The newest St. John's basketball captains will speak for the first time since the announcement at the program's media day on Tuesday, October 15.