St. John’s Star Deivon Smith Returns for Crucial Big East Stretch

NEW YORK — St. John’s University’s basketball team is set to regain its spark as senior point guard Deivon Smith returns to the court Saturday against Providence at Madison Square Garden. Smith, who missed three of the last four games due to injury, has been cleared to play after multiple full practices and a second cortisone shot.

“I’m feeling good. I’m not thinking about it,” said the 6-foot Smith on Friday. “Mentally, that was the last part, just taking hits, getting out there and running. I’m pretty good now.” Smith’s return comes at a critical juncture as St. John’s (18-3, 9-1) faces a challenging seven-game stretch, including matchups against No. 9 Marquette, No. 25 Connecticut, and Creighton.

Despite Smith’s absence, the Red Storm maintained momentum, riding a seven-game win streak. The team is off to its best start through 21 games since the 1985-86 season and holds its highest national ranking in a decade at No. 15. However, Smith’s presence is pivotal. Without him, the team struggled with slower pace and offensive efficiency, dropping from 49th to 65th nationally.

“It was a different type of team,” said head coach Rick Pitino. “The pace wasn’t as fast. He gives us more pace. We had great size, we could switch all five positions. That’s a good thing.” Smith, the team’s best 3-point shooter at 39.2%, also excels in defensive rebounding and transition play. He averages 10.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, with a defensive rating of 88.3 per 100 possessions — the 10th-best mark in the nation.

Pitino acknowledged the gamble of playing without Smith but praised the team’s resilience. “We gambled that we could win without him — it was a big gamble and it paid off. Now I think he’s over the hump,” Pitino said. “He’s a great numbers guy. He’s going to have steals, assists, rebounds, points. Throughout his career, he’s been a guy that checks the boxes.”

During Smith’s absence, Kadary Richmond stepped up, averaging 12.2 points, 5.2 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.5 steals over the last seven games. Pitino expects Richmond’s performance to remain strong even with Smith’s return. “We were a good team when they both played together. We’re going to inch him back into the lineup and see what happens,” Pitino said.

Smith’s return not only bolsters St. John’s offensive and defensive capabilities but also provides a psychological lift as the team navigates a grueling schedule. With Smith back, the Red Storm aims to solidify its position as a top contender in the Big East.