Rick Pitino is once again making headlines in college basketball, this time steering St. John’s back into national relevance. Following a 2024 campaign that featured a return to the NCAA Tournament, Pitino wasted no time reshaping the roster through the transfer portal.
With several players exiting due to eligibility limits or transferring out, the veteran coach capitalized on the portal to reload his lineup with impact additions.
His success in navigating the modern transfer era has been central to his quick turnaround at St. John’s. Now, with a revamped roster and momentum building, Pitino’s squad is generating early talk as a legitimate national championship contender heading into the upcoming season.
St. John’s Emerges as Title Threat Under Rick Pitino’s Portal Strategy
With Pitino at the helm, St. John’s is rapidly transforming into one of the most talked-about programs in college basketball. CBS Sports’ latest Top 25 and 1 rankings reflect that shift, with the Red Storm climbing to the No. 1 spot following a critical roster decision at Houston.
Gary Parrish, who compiles the rankings, pointed to Houston’s loss of Pope Isaac—who flipped his commitment to Texas A&M—as a key reason St. John’s leapfrogged the Cougars in the latest update.
“They lost an experienced, impactful, high-major guard,” Parrish said, noting Houston hasn’t added a comparable replacement. That opened the door for Pitino’s squad to ascend.
The catalyst for this rise is a combination of high-profile transfer additions and the return of standout forward Zuby Ejiofor.
“I don’t love that he’s the only real important piece from that Big East championship team that is going to be back at St. John’s,” Parrish admitted. “Duke last year only returned one player who averaged at least 7.8 points per game… and by the time we got to the Final Four, Duke was still playing and was the favorite to win it all.”
This speaks to a broader trend in college basketball where roster continuity, while still relevant, is no longer the definitive factor in team success. Pitino, with his adaptability, has capitalized on this shift.
“St. John’s with Zuby Ejiofor up front and what I believe is the best recruiting class in the country highlighted by transfers that have already been impactful at the high-major level,” Parrish said, “you give that roster to Rick Pitino… and I think you’ve got a team that absolutely deserves consideration for number one in the country.”
Kyle Boone of CBS Sports, however, expressed some skepticism, citing concerns about the lack of returning pieces.
“They are bringing in nine new pieces from last year’s roster,” Boone said. “The lack of continuity… I think (it) will end up hurting St. John’s.”
Still, he acknowledged the talent, particularly freshman Ian Jackson, and the potential for offensive improvement.
Parrish closed with a measured outlook.
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“I don’t believe… one school is going to get 65 first-place votes,” he said. “But if you are looking at rosters and coaches and combining those things… Rick Pitino with this roster, I think belongs on that list.”
In a new era defined by roster turnover and rapid rebuilds, Pitino’s mastery of the portal may position St. John’s for a serious title run.
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