The transfer portal has no sentimental feelings. It’s a cold, brutal business and it hit St. John’s on Tuesday.
Shortly after the Red Storm landed its first addition of the spring in British point guard Quinn Ellis, Dylan Darling entered the transfer portal after spending just one season with the Johnnies.
The former Washington State and Idaho State product joined the Red Storm as an afterthought but developed into one of the most important players on the team. He hit the biggest shot in the last 25 years of St. John’s basketball with a buzzer beating layup against Kansas in the NCAA Tournament to send the Johnnies to its first Sweet 16 since 1999.
Darling nearly single-handily won the Red Storm several games including the comeback win over Seton Hall, dominant second half on the road against Providence, and his clutch shots late against Xavier to get Rick Pitino his 900th career win, in which he got the nickname ‘Bells’.
After St. John’s won the Big East regular season championship, Pitino mentioned that Darling could be a captain next season for the Johnnies.
Last week after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to a New York Mets game at Citi Field, he addressed his future with the team.
“We’re just figuring out what’s best for me, what’s best for that team,” he said. “I love St. John’s. I love the coaching staff. I love all the people at St. John’s.”
Dylan Darling started 15 games for St. John’s this season, including its final ten contests. He averaged 6.9 points 2.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game this season.
Darling metioned that he was open to coming off the bench next season but given the pursit of other players in the portal, there seems to be more playing time and NIL money for the St. John's icon elsewhere.
St. John’s also saw role players Sadiku Ibine Ayo and Lefteris Liotopoulos enter the portal as well as redshirt freshman Imran Suljanovic, who missed the entire season due to an injury.
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