Rick Pitino has coached thousands of players during one of the longest and most successful careers in college basketball history. One of the most important is now sitting beside him.
St. John's officially added former Louisville star Peyton Siva to Pitino's coaching staff Thursday, reuniting the Hall of Fame coach with the point guard who helped lead his 2013 Louisville team to a national championship.
The move had been reported previously, but St. John's has now made Siva's addition official.
"Peyton is a world-class person and leader," Pitino said. "Our players will be thrilled to have his expertise."
For anyone who watched Louisville during Pitino's best years, this reunion carries considerably more meaning than an ordinary assistant-coaching hire.
Siva wasn't simply one of Pitino's players.
He was his point guard.
And he helped run one of the best teams Pitino ever coached.
Peyton Siva And Rick Pitino Share Championship History
Siva remains one of the most accomplished guards in Louisville history. He won Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors in consecutive seasons in 2012 and 2013.
As a senior, Siva recorded 228 assists and 90 steals, both Louisville single-season records at the time, while helping the Cardinals win the 2013 national championship. He finished his Louisville career second in program history in assists and steals.
Siva was later selected in the second round of the 2013 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons before building a lengthy professional career overseas.
Eventually, he returned to Louisville.
Siva spent the past two seasons on Pat Kelsey's staff, first as director of player development and alumni relations and then as an assistant coach.
Louisville went 51-19 during those two seasons.
Now Siva is leaving his alma mater to work for the coach who helped shape his career.
"I'm also extremely excited for this next chapter," Siva said. "Playing for Coach Rick Pitino was a dream, and now having the chance to coach alongside him is an incredible opportunity."
St. John's Keeps Adding Championship Experience
The reunion comes at an interesting time for St. John's.
Pitino has already restored national relevance to a program that spent years searching for it.
Now he's surrounding his roster with coaches who understand exactly what winning at the highest level looks like.
Siva becomes one of three St. John's assistants who won national championships as college players, joining Steve Masiello and Taliek Brown.
That isn't accidental.
Pitino's teams have always demanded significant responsibility from their guards. Siva understands those expectations better than almost anyone. He lived them.
He also knows what Pitino looks like when a season reaches its most pressurized moments because the two of them went through those moments together.
Thirteen years ago, Siva was taking instructions from Pitino during a national championship run.
Now he'll help deliver them.
For St. John's guards, there may not be a more valuable person Pitino could have brought into the room.
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