Full Breakdown
St. John's Basketball Faces Player Departures as Transfer Portal Opens
4/12/2026, 12:47:35 AM
Key Player Departures
St. John's University is experiencing significant changes as two players, Lefteris Liotopoulos and Imran Suljanovic, are set to enter the NCAA transfer portal alongside teammate Sadiku Ibine Ayo. Liotopoulos, a 6-foot-4 sophomore sharpshooter from Greece, averaged 2.9 points per game this season, with a notable performance of 17 points in a victory against Creighton. Suljanovic, a 6-foot-8 forward from Austria, did not play this season due to a dislocated patella tendon suffered in October. Both players were not expected to be major contributors for the upcoming season.
St. John's Recruitment Strategy
In light of these departures, St. John's is anticipated to pursue at least five new players through the transfer portal. The program has been linked to several potential recruits, including Kentucky forward Mo Dioubate, Arizona State center Massamba Diop, Kansas center Flory Bidunga, Georgetown guard KJ Lewis, Santa Clara forward Allen Graves, Kansas State wing Abdi Bashir Jr., Virginia Tech guard Neoklis Avdalas, and Robert Morris guard DeSean Goode.
Official Statements & Responses
St. John's head coach Rick Pitino expressed confidence in the program's ability to attract new talent. He stated, “We have a great brand, we have a brand that everybody’s interested in talking with us. The feedback has been incredible.” Pitino highlighted the program's recent successes, including back-to-back Big East Players of the Year and sold-out games at Madison Square Garden, as factors contributing to their appeal to prospective players.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the optimism surrounding the recruitment efforts, some analysts question the impact of losing players like Liotopoulos and Suljanovic on team dynamics and depth. Critics argue that relying heavily on the transfer portal may disrupt team cohesion and continuity, which are essential for building a successful program.
What's Next
As the transfer portal remains open, St. John's will be actively seeking to fill the gaps left by departing players. The upcoming weeks will be crucial for the program as they aim to secure new talent and maintain competitiveness in the Big East Conference.
In summary, St. John's basketball program is navigating a transitional phase with key player departures while simultaneously looking to enhance its roster through strategic recruitment in the transfer portal.
