Rick Pitino Makes St. John’s Admission Before Start of 2025 Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dean Koutouratsas | Last updated Aug 6, 2025 3:31 PM ET

After leading the St. John’s Red Storm to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2020, head coach Rick Pitino is ensuring his players are ready for this season.

The team opened Tuesday's practice to the media so they can get a better understanding of what the team looks like heading into Pitino’s third season in Queens.

Overview of Tuesday’s Practice

Pitino claimed forward Bryce Hopkins is 100% healthy after tearing his ACL last season with the Providence Friars, according to St. John’s insider Dave Berov.
Guard Ian Jackson nailed three 3-point shots during a 40-minute scrimmage.
Center and team captain Zuby Ejiofor scored 10 points while Hopkins ended with 12, according to broadcaster and reporter Kevin Connelly.
Dillon Mitchell led the way in the scrimmage with 20 points, while Jackson had 17 points and center Ruben Prey had 15 points.

Pitino, 72, shared his thoughts on how his team has been playing throughout the summer.

“Been a great summer with this team,” he wrote on X Wednesday. “Incredible group of athletes with the right attitude for learning and growing. Can’t wait for the start of official practice in September.”

St. John’s Projected Schedule For Next Season

The Red Storm season opener is scheduled for Nov. 3 against the Quinnipiac Bobcats. Later that week they take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in Madison Square Garden.

St. John’s will participate in the Players Era Tournament in Las Vegas from Nov. 24-27, when they will compete against the Iowa State Cyclones and Baylor Bears. They then return to Madison Square Garden to play the Ole Miss Rebels and Iona Gaels before traveling to Atlanta to take on Mark Pope’s Kentucky Wildcats.

St. John’s full schedule is yet to be released, but the Red Storm are expected to take on Big East rivals such as UConn, Villanova, Georgetown, Creighton and Butler.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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