The good vibes surrounding the St. John’s basketball program is continuing as the school received the largest gift ever, totaling $32.5 million from Bill Janetschek, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
Janetschek’s donation is directly tied into the new basketball practice facility that will be built on the Queens campus as nearly $25 million will go to the project while another $7.5 million will be focused on scholarships for St. John’s athletes.
“We are incredibly grateful to Bill Janetschek for his visionary support,” Rick Pitino said in a statement. “His donation will have a lasting impact on our program and our players. We look forward to seeing our students thrive in this exceptional new environment.”
The new facility, which was announced in 2024 and is expected to be completed by 2027 after construction begins this year, will feature modern training equipment and facilities for men's and women's basketball, multiple hydro-therapy pools and basketball courts, player lounges, and a space dedicated to analytics and other sports related technology.
“I believe in the power of sports to shape young minds and build strong communities,” Janetschek said. “This facility will elevate St. John’s basketball program and inspire students to pursue and achieve their dreams with passion and dedication.”
The St. John’s men’s basketball team is coming off one of the best seasons in program history with a 31-5 record and winning the Big East regular season and tournament championships. The Johnnies also record its first NCAA Tournament win since 2000.
“The generous contributions made by loyal alumni and by Board Chair Bill Janetschek exceed any monetary measure,” St. John’s president Rev. Brian Shanley said.
“Bill’s transformative gift will significantly enhance St. John’s basketball programs and provide student-athletes with unparalleled opportunities to excel both on and off the court.”
The Red Storm will hope the financial gift will continue to lead success entering the 2025-26 season after building one of the best rosters in the offseason, headlined by the consensus top ranked transfer portal haul.