Tounde Yessoufou Withdraws from NBA Draft to Join St. John’s

Baylor guard Tounde Yessoufou announced on May 28, 2026 that he withdrew from the 2026 NBA Draft and committed to St. John’s University, reuniting with head coach Rick Pitino. The decision, reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, was confirmed after the midnight deadline and follows a recruiting push that also secured returning guard Ian Jackson and EuroLeague point guard Quinn Ellis. As a true freshman at Baylor, Yessoufou posted 17.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 46.5 % from the field, 29.3 % from three-point range and 74.6 % from the line. At the NBA Draft Combine he ranked eighth in the no-step vertical, fifth in the shuttle run and 18th in maximum vertical leap. Draft analysts differed on his outlook: CBS suggested a likely late first-round selection, whereas ESPN projected a mid-second-round slot at 34th overall. Pitino celebrated the addition on social media, writing, “Celebrating our Big East championship with my guys that worked their tails off.”

Baylor guard Tounde Yessoufou withdraws from NBA Draft, commits to St. John's

St. John’s analysts noted that the roster still contains “unproven commodities,” signaling that Yessoufou’s adaptation to the Big East’s physical style remains uncertain. The variability in draft projections also underscores questions about his long-term ceiling.

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Sources diverge on Yessoufou’s draft status: CBS described him as a “likely late first-round pick,” while ESPN listed him at 34th overall, a mid-second-round position. No official comment from the NBA Draft Board or St. John’s athletic department clarifies the final assessment, and details regarding his academic eligibility and scholarship terms have not been disclosed.

Baylor guard Tounde Yessoufou withdraws from NBA Draft, commits to St. John's

• “Tounde Yessoufou is a Big East Player of the Year candidate. And he’s tailor-made for Rick Pitino,” — Jon Rothstein, CBS Sports analyst

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• “With Pitino pulling the strings, this looks like a Top 10-15 team on paper.” — Unnamed source quoted in post-game coverage

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• “Celebrating our Big East championship with my guys that worked their tails off.” — Rick Pitino, personal tweet

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• “Baylor's Tounde Yessoufou — a potential first-round pick — has withdrawn from the 2026 NBA draft and committed to St.” — Shams Charania, @ShamsCharania (Twitter)

Baylor guard Tounde Yessoufou withdraws from NBA Draft, commits to St. John's

With Yessoufou joining a backcourt that already features Jackson and Ellis, St. John’s projects a “Top 10-15” national ranking and positions itself as a potential Final Four contender. The team’s performance in the upcoming Big East schedule will determine whether the transfer fulfills the expectations set by analysts and the coaching staff.

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