St. John’s basketball center Vince Iwuchukwu is not going anywhere. The 7-footer said so himself via Instagram on Tuesday night.
“I’m not leaving,” the Southern Cal transfer said amid a report he would be entering the transfer portal after just one season with the Red Storm.
The Johnnies have already begun to reload its frontcourt with the return of Zuby Ejiofor and addition of Providence transfer Bryce Hopkins.
Now Iwuchukwu adds to that tandem, which should be one of the best in the country next season.
Vince Iwuchukwu on Instagram #SJUBB pic.twitter.com/ZASRPWBFJB
— Kevin Connelly (@KevinConnelly24) April 2, 2025
“I see tremendous improvement in Ruben Prey, in Vince [Iwuchukwu], and in Lefteris [Liotopoulos],” Rick Pitino said prior to the team’s NCAA Tournament game against Omaha.
“So, that's exciting for me, to see the guys that don't get all that publicity really improving and getting a lot better.”
He is coming off of a season in which he posted career-lows across the board, primarily because of being behind Ejiofor on the depth chart — winning the Big East’s Most Improved Player as well as being a First Team All-Big East selection.
Vince Iwuchukwu logged just 7.2 minutes per game with 2.7 points and 1.7 rebounds. He did play in 34 games this season, making one start, and has just one year of eligibility remaining.
“I thought basketball was taken away from me a couple of years ago, and miraculously, through hard work, God and my family, I was able to be here and come to a winning school,” Iwuchukwu said after the Johnnies won the Big East Tournament.
“I mean, with the legendary Coach [Pitino], with the legendary team that we're making right now, and had a legendary run…It’s so crazy how one good moment can change everything for you. I just want to keep on elevating from this.”
The anticipated retention of freshman Ruben Prey will give St. John’s another familiar face next season as the Johnnies look to breakthrough and reach the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament after its historic 2024-25 season of winning the Big East regular season and tournament championships.