“St. John’s at a Crossroads: RJ Luis Jr.’s Bold Move Sparks Uncertain Future for the Red Storm”

As the sun sets on another exciting college basketball season, St. John’s University finds itself at a pivotal crossroad. The team’s star player, RJ Luis Jr., has made waves by declaring for the NBA Draft and entering the transfer portal, raising questions about the Johnnies’ future. This decision marks a significant turning point for the program, as Luis, the 2024-25 Big East Player of the Year, played a vital role in leading St. John’s to a standout season. With his stellar performance—averaging 18.2 points and 7.2 rebounds—Luis helped secure the team’s first outright Big East regular-season title in nearly four decades. Now, as the Red Storm gears up for another offseason, they’re faced with the challenge of rebuilding and strategizing without their star player. Coach Rick Pitino’s remarks on the matter reflect both his support for Luis and the impending transition the team must undergo. The stakes are high, and it’s clear that the journey ahead will be as thrilling as the season just passed.

LEARN MORE.

“I’ve said it all season, RJ will make a terrific pro,” Pitino wrote on social media in response to Luis’ decision. “We all are rooting for him to make it!”Simeon Wilcher, Brady Dunlap, Sadiku Ibine Ayo, Ruben Prey, and Lefteris Liotopoulos are among the notable St. John’s players who are able to return.Pitino added sophomore guard Joson Sanon through the transfer portal, which should help with the Johnnies’ shooting deficiencies. Sanon averaged 11.2 points per game and shot 36.9% from 3-point range as a freshman with Arizona State.Pitino pulled Luis after he shot just 3-of-17, including 0-of-3 on 3-point attempts.Luis, 22, averaged a team-high 18.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game during a breakout junior season, helping lead resurgent St. John’s to a 31-5 record; their first outright Big East regular-season championship since 1985 and their first Big East Tournament crown since 2000.“I’ve always said I don’t mind the NIL,” Pitino said during the NCAA Tournament. “I don’t mind the portal. The thing that’s difficult for a coach is to get players connected offensively, defensively and bonded, because they’re all new to each other. It takes time.”But with Luis’ decision over the weekend to declare for the NBA Draft and to enter the NCAA transfer portal, the 2024-25 Big East Player of the Year’s time in Queens is likely coming to an end.The biggest question mark for St. John’s this offseason was the future of RJ Luis Jr.Luis elevated his NBA stock this season, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be taken with one of the 59 picks in this summer’s draft. ESPN ranks him as its No. 72 prospect.“He played 30 minutes and I went with other people,” Pitino said after the loss, adding, “Don’t ask leading questions. You already know why he didn’t play.”Either way, St. John’s must now plan for a future without him.St. John’s also continues to be linked to Providence forward Bryce Hopkins, who is among the sport’s more coveted transfer candidates.If he returned for his senior season, the Johnnies would maintain a level of continuity superior to what they had going into their first two years under head coach Rick Pitino.But the 6-7 guard’s season ended on the bench, as Pitino sat him for the final 4:56 of the second-seeded Red Storm’s 75-66 loss to 10th-seeded Arkansas in the NCAA Tournament’s second round.Zuby Ejiofor has committed to return for his senior season. The 6-9 power forward averaged 14.7 points and a team-high 8.1 rebounds per game as a junior en route to a selection on the All-Big East first team. His 4.4 offensive rebounds per game led the nation.The 6-7 forward has averaged at least 15.5 points per game three years in a row, but he played in only 14 games in 2023-24 before suffering a season-ending ACL tear; and appeared in only three games last season.That 3-point percentage would have led St. John’s players who averaged more than eight minutes per game last season. The Red Storm shot 30.1% on 3-point attempts as a team, which was among the worst rates in the country and burned them during their loss to Arkansas.Still, St. John’s has work to do. Kadary Richmond, Aaron Scott and Deivon Smith are all out of eligibility, leaving the Red Storm with significant voids in their backcourt. All three started at least 17 games.