Rick Pitino has St. John's basketball resurgence in high gear

For much of the past two decades, St. John’s basketball has struggled to reclaim its former glory. Since 2000, the Red Storm have made just three NCAA Tournament appearances, their last coming in 2019 with a First Four exit that marked the end of Chris Mullin’s tenure as head coach.  

Mullin, a St. John’s legend as a player, struggled to deliver sustained success between 2015 and 2019. His successor, Mike Anderson, brought an up-tempo, defensive-minded style but failed to return the program to national relevance. Inconsistent recruiting and player retention issues only deepened the team’s struggles.  

That changed with the arrival of Rick Pitino. Hired in 2023, the Hall of Famer immediately revamped the roster, bringing in transfers and top recruits to instill a new culture. 

St. John’s finished his first season 20-13, a solid foundation for what has become a remarkable turnaround in year two.  

Leading the charge is RJ Luis Jr., who has emerged as the team’s top scorer. The sophomore guard is averaging 17.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, drawing NBA interest after transferring from Massachusetts.

Alongside Luis, Zuby Ejiofor has become a dominant presence in the paint. The junior forward is averaging 14.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game while ranking among the nation’s leaders in offensive rebounding. His defensive versatility and relentless energy have made him a key piece of Pitino’s system.  

Graduate transfer Kadary Richmond has brought veteran leadership and all-around playmaking. Whether scoring, facilitating or defending the perimeter, he has provided a steadying presence in crucial moments.  

Pitino has reshaped St. John’s identity around defensive intensity, an aggressive full-court press and disciplined half-court execution. That shift has delivered immediate results.  

Now ranked 15th in the nation, the Red Storm are 7-0 since the New Year and off to a 9-1 start in Big East play, their best since the Lou Carnesecca era in the 1980s. A dominant 66-41 win at Georgetown in their last outing reinforced their legitimacy, bumping their season record to 18-3.

"I always toast Lou after every game and say the same thing to everybody: 'Lou would be proud of this team'," Pitino said after the Georgetown win, via NBC Sports.

"But I don't bring it up too much. I don't bring it up they're the most wins in January. I never bring any of that up. That's your job. We really just do focus on getting better. This team is getting better and better."

With key Big East victories piling up, St. John’s is on track for its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2019 and looks poised to make noise in March. If Pitino’s track record is any indication, this team could be a dangerous postseason threat.  

New York City is buzzing again for St. John’s basketball. National media attention is mounting, and Madison Square Garden is regaining its reputation as a stage for high-stakes, high-energy basketball. The Red Storm’s revival is no longer just a vision—it’s happening.