Rick Pitino, St. John's get to work on transfer portal candidates
Moustapha Thiam of the Cincinnati Bearcats shoots the ball over Josiah Moseley of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first half of the game at United Supermarkets Arena on Feb. 24 in Lubbock, Texas. Credit: Getty Images/John E. Moore III
St. John’s lost a lot off its roster following its run to a first NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 since 1999 last month. All three members of the impressive front line — Zuby Ejiofor, Bryce Hopkins and Dillon Mitchell — had no more eligibility. Coach Rick Pitino and his staff have begun the process of rebuilding the roster for the 2026-27 season and are assessing which players in the NCAA transfer portal would fit best. They begin having players in for visits this week
At least five players were scheduled to come in: 6-7 swingman Abdi Bashir Jr. from Kansas State, 6-7 forward and Queens product Mouhamed Dioubate from Kentucky, 7-2 center Moustapha Thiam from Cincinnati, 6-1 point guard Leroy Blyden Jr. of Toledo and 6-8 forward DeSean Goode from Robert Morris.
In addition to replacing the starting forwards, St. John’s also graduated starting guard Oziyah Sellers. Sadiku Ibine Ayo and Imran Suljanovic (who missed the season after knee injury and is reportedly on his way to New Mexico) have put their names in the transfer portal and reportedly so has Lefteris Liotopoulos.
As a junior this season, Bashir averaged 13.2 points and shot 44% on a high volume of three-pointers for K-State. As a junior this season, Dioubate averaged 8.8 points and 5.5 rebounds in 21.6 minutes for Kentucky. As a sophomore this season, Thiam averaged 12.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots. Goode was named the Horizon League Player of the Year as a sophomore this season after averaging 15.2 points and 8.7 rebounds. Blyden was named the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year after averaging 16.4 points — including 41% on three-pointers — and 4.5 assists and 1.8 steals.
The Red Storm had been linked to 6-9 guard Neoklis Avdalas out of Virginia Tech, who averaged 12.1 points and 4.6 assists as a freshman, however he reportedly committed to North Carolina on Monday.
St. John’s bringing in a player for a visit doesn’t necessarily indicate a commitment is imminent. Pitino and his staff brought in many players before last season’s roster was completed in May.
College players have until April 21 to put their names into the transfer portal, so there could be a number of new names who become available.
Wilcher to Seton Hall. Former Red Storm guard Simeon Wilcher is returning to the Big East next season and will suit up for Seton Hall after transferring from Texas. Wilcher spent his first two college seasons with St. John’s, averaging 8.0 points in 25.4 minutes as a sophomore, before transferring after last season to the Longhorns. This season he averaged 5.6 points in 18.7 minutes.
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
