The 2024-2025 season was a renaissance over two decades in the making for St. John’s. In just his second season at the helm, Rick Pitino and the “Johnnies” won the Big East Tournament and received their highest seed in the NCAA Tournament since 2000.
College basketball is officially back in “The Big Apple,” and Pitino has reloaded since the team’s second-round defeat.
Ian Jackson Returns Home, Teams Up With Rick Pitino
Pitino had already secured a trio of quality transfers, including Bryce Hopkins, Oziyah Sellers, and Joson Sanon. Yet, he may have landed his biggest addition yet with UNC’s Ian Jackson committing to St. John’s.
The North Carolina Tar Heels had a disappointing season compared to the lofty standards the program holds its players to. Yet, one of the bright spots of the year was the play of six-foot-four guard Ian Jackson. A native of the Bronx, Jackson is returning home to seek a fresh start after an up-and-down first season.
Jackson entered this past season as a top 10, 5-star recruit and quickly asserted himself on the Tar Heels roster. He truly found his stride in late December, where he went on to average over 23 points on 54% shooting from the floor over the course of seven games.
Even against the highest level of competition, the star freshman found success, thriving in transition and showing the ability to operate in the half-court. Against Alabama, he posted 23 points and five rebounds while hitting close to 60% of his shots. When facing UCLA, he was just as efficient with 24 points and a blistering 62% field goal percentage.
Falling Out of Favor Late in the Year and Transfer
Despite the pedigree and obvious talent, Jackson began to fall out of favor with Hubert Davis as February rolled around. Over the last 14 games of the season, Jackson failed to eclipse 20 minutes of playing time on nine separate occasions.
His scoring also took a dive, only scoring in double figures five times in the same stretch. Perhaps Davis decided to ride his trio of veterans with Seth Trimble, RJ Davi,s and Elliot Cadeau leading the team in minutes.
Maybe it was Jackson’s lack of playmaking and growing pains on the defensive side of the ball that saw his minutes to decrease. Regardless, the Tar Heels’ loss will prove to be the Red Storm’s gain.
St. John’s had one of the most prolific defenses in the nation last year. Unfortunately, the offense tended to stall at inopportune times as they finished the year ranked 68th in offensive efficiency according to KenPom.
KEEP READING: 2025 Men’s College Basketball Transfer Portal Tracker
Now, Pitino will be able to deploy a guard in Jackson who has a knack for putting the ball in the basket. Even with his fluctuating role, Jackson managed a solid 46% field goal percentage and a very promising 39.5% from three on just over four attempts per game.
While his defense could use some work, when his athleticism and size are blended with Pitino’s coaching and scheme, Jackson could become a factor on the less glamorous side of the ball.
St. John’s will likely still look to secure a traditional point guard as Pitino’s team still lacks a pass-first, floor general.
But, with Jackson in the fold, the Red Storm looks every bit as dangerous as the team that just secured the program’s best season in over two and a half decades. Jackson’s return to New York City is proof that the elder Pitino still has plenty of juice left in the tank.
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