It’s been an offseason of ups and downs for St. John’s Basketball, as it's been reloading its roster. Focusing on the frontcourt, they thought they had their leading big man for next season, landing former Syracuse forward Donnie Freeman (16.5 ppg and 7.2 rpg) from the transfer portal. However, a season-ending torn ACL injury has him out of action for next season.
The Red Storm got a lifeline with a group of 5th-year senior players filing lawsuits all over the country, with some already declared eligible. Others, such as former Auburn forward Keyshawn Hall, are currently ineligible after his Ohio state lawsuit received a stay in the previous injunction awarded to the players. A hearing is set at the end of September to give him a chance to play for the 2026-27 season.
And if that happens, we now know it’ll be at St. John’s.
NEWS: Auburn transfer forward Keyshawn Hall has committed to St. John’s, he told @On3.
— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) August 25, 2026
The 6-7 senior averaged 19.3 PTS, 7.1 REB, and 2.6 AST this past season, earning Third Team All-SEC honors. Hall played NBA Summer League with the Miami Heat.https://t.co/tHMG2OkH08 https://t.co/ZPM1dNyXHZ pic.twitter.com/QwRMYdROT7
Hall is a 6’7 guard/forward and one of the nation's best pure scorers. He led George Mason, UCF, and Auburn in scoring each season at those stops, coming off averaging 19.3 ppg and 7.1 rpg with the Tigers this past season. Hall shot 45% from the field, 38% from three-point range, and had eight games of at least 25 points. That includes a pair of back-to-back 32-point games against Texas A&M and Arkansas.
Operating under the viewpoint that Hall indeed becomes eligible at some point, he joins the other high-profile offseason pickup, 6’5 guard Tounde Yessoufou, who averaged 17.8 ppg and 5.9 rpg as a freshman at Baylor. Another 5th-year player joining the team is Reed Bailey, a 6’11 big man who averaged 8.3 ppg at Indiana last season.
St. John’s, despite losing Donnie Freeman (Achilles) for the season, could have a top 7 of Hall, Quinn Ellis, Tounde Tessoufou, Ian Jackson, Babacar Sane, Ruben Prey and Reed Bailey.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) August 25, 2026
However, Hall, Ellis and Sane are not currently eligible. https://t.co/F0eLrjuFvE
St. John’s likely is done roster building, but it’s far from finalized. The international commits are reportedly struggling to get NCAA eligibility for various reasons, including projected starting point guard Quinn Ellis and wing Babacar Sane. If Quinn, in particular, isn’t able to play this season, that would severely limit the Red Storm’s season.
November 2nd isn’t far from here, and there’s still a ton in the air for St. John’s. But if they can get these guys across the finish line and playing, they’ll be a top-15 caliber roster and a threat to win the Big East again.
Add us as a preferred source on Google