While the NBA Draft didn’t unfold how many were hoping within the St. John’s basketball community, it didn’t stop its draft eligible players from landing professional contracts minutes after the completion of the picks.
Notably, RJ Luis was not selected after much scrutiny surrounding his decision to remain in the draft instead of returning to college and landing a massive NIL deal in the transfer portal.
He worked out for 18 teams in the pre-draft process as many projections had him listed as a mid-to-late second round choice. Instead, he got to dictate where he landed after being undrafted and signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz.
Utah created headlines on Wednesday night in the first round of the draft when picking Rutgers star Ace Bailey with the No. 5 overall pick after it was reported that he told teams not to draft him in order to manufacture he was selected at one of his preferred destinations.
Now, the two will be teammates in the upcoming NBA Summer League.
Red Storm standout guard Kadary Richmond also impressed teams in workouts prior to the draft but his age and jump shot stopped teams from taking a chance on him with a pick, however, he received a contract with the Washington Wizards.
Washington, a franchise trying to rebuild after years of dysfunction, are hoping Richmond shows enough to contend for a roster spot this fall, and his jumper continues to improve.
Former Red Storm forward Aaron Scott also inked a Summer League deal with the Boston Celtics while Devion Smith still waits for the right opportunity to find a team to play with this summer in Las Vegas.
St. John’s has not had a player selected in the NBA Draft since 2015 and its last first round pick came in 2012.