The St. John’s Red Storm was one of the biggest success stories of the year in college basketball. With Rick Pitino in only his second season with the program, this team was able to reach 30+ wins for the first time since the 1985 season. It was a magical year for the program, that lead to a Big East title for the former Louisville HC, as well as a #2 seed in the West region of this year’s NCAA Tournament.

It was a year that St. John’s fans have been waiting for for YEARS! But sadly, they ended up losing in the Round of 32 to John Calipari’s Arkansas Razorbacks by a score of 75-66. It was a dismal affair for this promising squad, where they struggled from the field (28%) and the 3-pt line (9.1%). Their All-American, RJ Luis Jr., was even benched at the end of the contest after only scoring 9 points on 3-17 shooting.

They let a lot of people (including me, because I had them in my bracket) down that night. But now, with their off-season being only four days old, the Red Storm are already making waves in the transfer portal.

Arizona State freshman and former 5 🌟 Joson Sanon has committed to St. John’s, per @DraftExpress.

Rick Pitino is already cooking 🍳👀 pic.twitter.com/wsrNzrXSWs

— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) March 26, 2025

Sanon, a freshman who was coming off of the bench for the Sun Devils last season, had a rather successful year down in Tempe. In the 27 games that he played (9 starts), the Massachusetts native posted a stat-line consisting of;

11.9  PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.0 APG, 42.2 FG%, 36.9 3P%

St. John’s lands former 5 ⭐️ Jason Sanon!
Rick already cooking in the portal #sjubb pic.twitter.com/SUXHXl7ilC

— James (@metcov) March 26, 2025

The former 5-star recruit, who’s a threat from deep and a good off-ball shooter, is a perfect addition to a Johnnies squad that struggled from deep against the Razorbacks. He is a young, and formidable guard, who put up starter-like numbers as a primary back-up for Bobby Hurley’s unit in 2024.

This will be a step-up, and possibly a replacement, for a St. John’s squad that ranked 64th in the country in offensive efficiency. With the possibility of Pitino losing Kadary Richmond, Deivon Smith, and Aaron Scott; the Red Storm was able to reload for the future with this move. They were able to bring in a much younger, proven talent, that will hopefully bump their numbers up in 2025.

It’s a monumental step forward for an improving St. John’s squad. This program is on it’s way up, and with a Big East title in only his second year as the coach…….the future of this program looks VERY BRIGHT. The only question here is…….who else will be joining Sanon in New York?

Only time will tell. But be prepared for another monumental season next year. In the end though, as always…..what do I know? I’m just a guy from the Midwest, with a beer and a laptop, trying to make sense of this world.