St. John’s Faces Crucial Offseason After NCAA Tournament Exit

NEW YORK, N.Y. — St. John's University is at a pivotal moment as it moves into the offseason following a disappointing second-round exit in the NCAA Tournament. The exit follows a historic season that saw the Red Storm, led by Coach Rick Pitino, compile a record of 31-5 and capture both the Big East regular-season and tournament championships.

Despite this season’s success, Pitino emphasized that the next steps for the program require not just a focus on developing incoming talent, but also securing financial resources to compete with other top-tier college programs. “We have to raise money to attract the talent needed to advance further next season,” he stated.

In recent comments following the Big East Tournament title win, Pitino remarked on the declarations of his two leading scorers, RJ Luis and Zuby Ejiofor, as “very low-paid players” in comparison to the broader landscape of college basketball, highlighting the financial challenges the Red Storm face.

Notably, despite having a roster that outperformed many expectations, St. John’s is still considered mid-level in terms of financial backing, with a reported payroll around $4 million. Pitino indicates this puts the program at a disadvantage and emphasizes that to build a championship-level team, the necessary financial support must follow the team’s competitive edge. “St. John’s didn’t get built by the NIL. St. John’s got built with the character of the players,” he said.

The looming question for the Red Storm is how they will replace departing players Kadary Richmond, Aaron Scott, and Deivon Smith, all out of NCAA eligibility. Pitino is clear, however, about the importance of continuity. “Next year, we’ll have about six or seven players returning, and that’ll be a major benefit,” he said.

One of the most significant decisions will revolve around the future of Luis, who had a standout season averaging 18.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game and received accolades including Big East Player of the Year. “There’s a possibility RJ is going to come back, so he’ll test the waters, and if he’s a first-rounder or guaranteed contract, he should go,” Pitino added.

As the Red Storm prepares for next season, Pitino is also focused on the transfer portal for reinforcements. This comes after identifying the clear need for point guards as they look to replace Richmond’s production. Pitino has successfully utilized the portal to enhance his roster in the past, notably with players like Daniss Jenkins.

Additionally, the prospective approval for revenue-sharing in college athletics beginning in the 2025-26 season could provide St. John’s with a financial boost, as funds will be allocated based on basketball performance. This is critical for a university that lacks a football program. The potential revenue from this initiative could further bolster the team’s competitive stature.

As of now, the Red Storm appears to be in a transitional phase, with many questions surrounding player retention and recruitment. However, Pitino expressed optimism about the prospects ahead, noting the improvement seen in returning players like Vince Iwuchukwu and Ruben Prey. “I see tremendous improvement in those guys. That’s exciting for me to see,” he said.