After succeeding in their chase for a high-caliber swingman in Syracuse Orange forward Donnie Freeman, Rick Pitino’s St. John’s Red Storm just got an important member of their roster back for next year.
On Tuesday, Red Storm guard Ian Jackson announced he is returning to St. John’s for his third year of college basketball.
This revitalizes coach Rick Pitino’s team, as they were hoping Jackson would be one of the holdovers from their 2025-26 roster. Jackson will now enter his second season with the Red Storm, with his freshman stint being with then-coach Hubert Davis’ North Carolina Tar Heels.
Jackson’s decision comes as the Red Storm secured the commitment of Freeman, who had entered the transfer portal.
With Jackson back in the swing of things with the Red Storm, coach Pitino and company can now work towards improving upon their recently concluded season. In this year’s national tournament, St. John’s went all the way to the Sweet 16, where they were eliminated by Jon Scheyer’s Duke Blue Devils, suffering a five-point defeat, 80-75. Led by Jackson, they finished the year with a record of 30-7 (18-2 Big East).
Donnie Freeman Has Committed To The St. John’s Red Storm For The 2026-27 Season
The news of Ian Jackson returning to the St. John’s Red Storm came almost immediately after Donnie Freeman committed to coach Rick Pitino’s program.
Freeman will be joining the Red Storm for his third year of collegiate hoops, similar to Jackson, after spending his first two campaigns with the Orangemen. St. John’s was able to snag Freeman despite reports that the Kentucky Wildcats had raised their offer for him.
“NEWS: Syracuse transfer forward Donnie Freeman has committed to St. John’s, he told @On3. The 6-9 sophomore averaged 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game this season,” @tiptonedits on Instagram wrote.
Freeman is the Red Storm’s first addition through the transfer portal, with more moves likely to take place.
Also Read: Ian Jackson Injury Update: Latest Intel on St. John Star’s Ankle Ahead of Creighton Game
Read More: Confidence in Mark Pope Landing Top Syracuse Transfer Rises as UConn Faces Setback: Report
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