NCAA Basketball: Top 25 team winners from 2024 transfer portal results

17. St. John’s Red Storm

A year ago, Coach Rick Pitino’s first transfer class back in the Big East featured a lot of mid-major stars. However, it didn’t pan out, as the team missed the NCAA Tournament. This time around, the team landed a few proven power conference names to set up a new backcourt.

The big name is Kadary Richmond, who was one of the top players in the Big East last season at Seton Hall. He led the team with 15.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg, and 5.1 apg, including a triple-double against Creighton in triple-overtime. He’s one of the favorites to win Conference POY and is the kind of lead guard that can thrive under Coach Pitino.

The other newcomer guards are Deivon Smith and Aaron Scott. Smith is actually an even bigger triple-double threat than Richmond is, averaging 13.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, and 7.1 apg last season at Utah. He shot 47% from the field and 41% from deep on limited attempts so can play off the ball. Scott is a 6’7 guard from North Texas, producing 11.0 ppg and 5.6 rpg on 37% shooting from deep.

The lone big man joining the team is Vincent Iwuchukwu, a 7’1 center from USC who started 11 games as a sophomore (5.5 ppg and 3.8 rpg) in 16 mpg and has overcome heart-related issues that plagued him as a freshman. If he’s able to break out, St. John’s will have an all-around roster for 2024-25.