Pitino Supports Player Observing Ramadan Amid Tournament Push

NEW YORK, March 14, 2025 – As St. John's University gears up for the Big East Tournament, Coach Rick Pitino has publicly supported his junior player Sadiku Ibine Ayo, who is fasting for Ramadan. Pitino spoke out against non-Muslim players attempting to fast alongside Ayo, emphasizing the health risks involved.

“They should never ever do that again,” Pitino stated this week. “You’re not helping Sadiku by doing that. You can’t go through practice without water. It’s very, very unhealthy, it’s very dangerous.” His comments come as the team prepares for its semifinal game against No. 5 seed Marquette on Friday.

Ramadan, which began on February 28 this year, requires Muslim athletes to abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. Ayo faces unique challenges in maintaining his performance on the court while adhering to these religious practices.

Pitino noted that Ayo has been receiving intravenous (IV) fluids before sunrise to help maintain his hydration during the fasting period. “Sadiku said he’s getting a lot of IV fluids before the game, which helps for Ramadan,” Pitino remarked after St. John’s victory over Butler in the tournament quarterfinals. “I asked the trainers, ‘Can we get something in the IV to help his defense?’ They said they’re going to work on that.”

The Red Storm, currently 28-4, finished their regular season as Big East champions with an impressive 18-2 record. With seven consecutive wins, St. John’s is looking to secure its first conference tournament title since 2000. Pitino, who has revitalized the team during his tenure, has fostered a culture of grit and camaraderie among the players.

Star guard RJ Luis Jr. has been a key contributor this season, scoring 20 points against Butler. Fellow guard Kadary Richmond also played a pivotal role, contributing 15 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists. The team’s strong performance has led to high expectations for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, where they hope to secure a top seed.

Advanced metrics indicate that St. John’s is among the top seven teams in the nation, leading analysts to argue they deserve a higher NCAA seed than a No. 3. Regardless of their seeding, the balanced roster and experienced guards position St. John’s as a formidable opponent in March Madness.

“This team is built on experienced guards, which is usually the key to deep March runs,” said Pitino. “Nothing is out of the question for St. John’s basketball over these next few weeks.”