The largest query mark for St. John’s this offseason was the way forward for RJ Luis Jr.
If he returned for his senior season, the Johnnies would keep a degree of continuity superior to what they’d going into their first two years underneath head coach Rick Pitino.
However with Luis’ resolution over the weekend to declare for the NBA Draft and to enter the NCAA switch portal, the 2024-25 Massive East Participant of the Yr’s time in Queens is probably going coming to an finish.
“I’ve said it all season, RJ will make a terrific pro,” Pitino wrote on social media in response to Luis’ resolution. “We all are rooting for him to make it!”
Luis, 22, averaged a team-high 18.2 factors and seven.2 rebounds per sport throughout a breakout junior season, serving to lead resurgent St. John’s to a 31-5 file; their first outright Massive East regular-season championship since 1985 and their first Massive East Match crown since 2000.
However the 6-7 guard’s season ended on the bench, as Pitino sat him for the ultimate 4:56 of the second-seeded Purple Storm’s 75-66 loss to Tenth-seeded Arkansas within the NCAA Match’s second spherical.
Pitino pulled Luis after he shot simply 3-of-17, together with 0-of-3 on 3-point makes an attempt.
“He played 30 minutes and I went with other people,” Pitino stated after the loss, including, “Don’t ask leading questions. You already know why he didn’t play.”
Luis elevated his NBA inventory this season, however there’s no assure he’ll be taken with one of many 59 picks on this summer season’s draft. ESPN ranks him as its No. 72 prospect.
Both means, St. John’s should now plan for a future with out him.
Zuby Ejiofor has dedicated to return for his senior season. The 6-9 energy ahead averaged 14.7 factors and a team-high 8.1 rebounds per sport as a junior en path to a variety on the All-Massive East first workforce. His 4.4 offensive rebounds per sport led the nation.
Pitino added sophomore guard Joson Sanon by way of the switch portal, which ought to assist with the Johnnies’ taking pictures deficiencies. Sanon averaged 11.2 factors per sport and shot 36.9% from 3-point vary as a freshman with Arizona State.
That 3-point share would have led St. John’s gamers who averaged greater than eight minutes per sport final season. The Purple Storm shot 30.1% on 3-point makes an attempt as a workforce, which was among the many worst charges within the nation and burned them throughout their loss to Arkansas.
St. John’s additionally continues to be linked to Windfall ahead Bryce Hopkins, who’s among the many sport’s extra coveted switch candidates.
The 6-7 ahead has averaged no less than 15.5 factors per sport three years in a row, however he performed in solely 14 video games in 2023-24 earlier than struggling a season-ending ACL tear; and appeared in solely three video games final season.
Nonetheless, St. John’s has work to do. Kadary Richmond, Aaron Scott and Deivon Smith are all out of eligibility, leaving the Purple Storm with important voids of their backcourt. All three began no less than 17 video games.
Simeon Wilcher, Brady Dunlap, Sadiku Ibine Ayo, Ruben Prey, and Lefteris Liotopoulos are among the many notable St. John’s gamers who’re in a position to return.
“I’ve always said I don’t mind the NIL,” Pitino stated through the NCAA Match. “I don’t mind the portal. The thing that’s difficult for a coach is to get players connected offensively, defensively and bonded, because they’re all new to each other. It takes time.”
