St. John’s Puts 350 NCAA Teams on High Alert Thanks to Rick Pitino’s Transfer Portal Master Stroke

Diving into the transfer portal began earlier than expected for St. John’s this offseason. Practice sessions for the Sweet 16 were traded for decisions to build a new roster. A team that had teased a resurgence would look a lot different in days’ matter, but Rick Pitino wasn’t bothered. “I don’t mind the NIL. I don’t mind the portal,” he had said. Well, it is reflecting. The head coach has moved on. Tranfers are locked in. Roles have been assigned. At 72, he is as enthusiastic as he can get. Oh and, what’s that? Rick Pitino is still in the game. His latest transfer addition has made that loud and clear.

It wasn’t going to be a complete overhaul for St. John’s with at least 6 of his players expected to return. But the task for Pitino was to replace 3 of his seniors– Kadary Richmond, Deivon Smith, and Aaron Scott. And also, probably the biggest name, RJ Luis Jr. Those are some big shoes to fill. But by the looks of it, that might not be impossible. Pitino has managed to land 5 new transfers, and the ranking that has helped the head coach secure speaks of the caliber he still walks with.

Pitino started out his off-season campaign strong when he landed a five-star prospect, Jason Sanon, as his first pick on the roster. The 19-year-old comes in determined and with clear goals. “I want to show him I’m the hardest working player that’s ever played for him. The way Coach P teaches defense is something I want to invest my time into,” he told ESPN. There, Pitino ticked the box for intent. But even before the Johnnies could savor the first win, a top-10 transfer from the portal had announced his decision– Forward Bryce Hopkins was coming to Queens.

“He will be a great replacement for the void left with RJ [Luis Jr.],” is what Rick Pitino said after securing him. Oziyah Sellers came in next to reshape the backcourt. But the biggest move of the entire off season? Ian Jackson was choosing St. John’s. The No.8 recruit of his class was called ‘great point’ by the head coach, welcoming him with great excitement.

The point guard position assigned for the UNC transfer, though, raised some eyebrows. He wasn’t an applauded ball handler. Analysts questioned if the Johnnies were just taking what they got. But the scrutiny wouldn’t compare to the bigger picture– Jackson’s addition had propelled the program to No. 2 class in the portal this season. But, Pitino wasn’t done yet.

With the fifth addition, Dillon Mitchell, St. John’s is now the No.1 ranked portal class, as per Travis Branham of 247Sports. What contributed?

Rick Pitino and St. John’s No. 1 ranked portal class:

5 Ian Jackson (North Carolina)
4 Bryce Hopkins (Providence)
4 Dillon Mitchell (Cincinnati)
4 Joson Sanon (Arizona State)
4 Oziyah Sellers (Stanford)

The Godfather. pic.twitter.com/AiuRFXNf96

— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) April 23, 2025

After losing two bigs to the transfer portal, the former Cincinnati Bearcat is expected to wreck havoc at the rim for the Johnnies. He enters with an average of 9.9 points and 6.9 rebounds, but it is his defensive capacity, with a career-high average of 2 blocks and steals each that appeals to Pitino. It is right up his brand of basketball. Defense. Strength. Toughness. Now how could the HC not offer a warming welcome.

“We are thrilled to have Dillon Mitchell join our basketball family. Pound for pound, inch for inch one of the hardest working and most productive players in the nation. He brings great experience and talent to our team. Extremely pumped,” he wrote on X, making the announcement.

He is expected to be the last in the current class for Pitino. He should be able to maintain the defensive metrics it put together this season with the addition of Mitchell; the pairing of him with Zuby Ejiofor and Providence transfer Bryce Hopkins should create one of the best rebounding teams in the nation. Now, defense in Pitino’s team is a given. But this time, the coach is also seemingly looking to build on offense after a poor shooting night got him out of the running in the past tourney.

Hopkins, Sellers, and Jackson are already looking like the scoring threats. To make this vision of Pitino a reality, they have also spent heavily, as, according to a recent CBS Sports report, the Red Storm is one of eight college basketball programs expected to or able to spend $10 million on a roster. The 350 other teams still at work, better watch out.

But assembling the roster wasn’t the only win for Pitino today.

Rick Pitino adds to his list of accolades

The Johnnies’ 3rd-year coach has been named “The Looie” Men’s Division I Coach of the Year” for his feats from last season. The legend just added another feather to his cap in his 51-year-old coaching career, and rightfully so.

The “The Looie” Men’s Division I Coach of the Year

The Coach of the Year award was renamed this year in honor of Lou

: https://t.co/pWmGb5L6Eq pic.twitter.com/n7cuUKYAjY

— St. John’s Men’s Basketball (@StJohnsBBall) April 23, 2025

Possessing 885 wins over his career with a win rate of .740 and two NCAA titles, Pitino is a worthy suitor of this award. For more context, Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski,  won 1,202 games with a .766 winning percentage at Duke and Army.

Pitino’s consistent longevity is costing him in sheer numbers; the job-hopping and rebuilds he constantly produces offer a different résumé point. None of the previous teams Pitino took over were in a good situation when he joined, bur he made them bounce back. He will look to replicate his success as he enters his third season at St.John’s.

The post St. John’s Puts 350 NCAA Teams on High Alert Thanks to Rick Pitino’s Transfer Portal Master Stroke appeared first on EssentiallySports.