For the first time since the 1999–2000 season, the St. John’s Red Storm are back in the Associated Press Top 25, coming in at No. 5. After a historic 2024–25 campaign that included both a Big East regular-season and tournament championship, the buzz around Queens has reached levels not seen in decades.
Coming off their most successful season in a generation, the Johnnies entered the offseason with momentum, landing one of the nation’s top transfer classes while retaining key pieces such as Zuby Ejiofor, the dominant center who averaged 14.7 points and eight rebounds last season.
The last time St. John’s opened the year ranked, they began at No. 18 and finished at No. 9 nationally. Now, 25 years later, history feels like it’s repeating itself. Under head coach Rick Pitino, the Red Storm have returned to national relevance, and perhaps even beyond that.
Pitino’s arrival three seasons ago was a clear statement of intent from Athletic Director Ed Kull. The two-time national champion is the only coach ever to win titles at two different schools and currently ranks fifth all-time in head coaching victories. He’s just 14 wins shy of passing Bob Knight for fourth place and 19 away from Roy Williams for third.
But Kull says Pitino’s value goes beyond wins and banners, it’s about building a sustainable, modern program that excites both fans and students.
“I give a lot of credit to Coach Pitino,” Kull said. “He’s extremely comfortable in this new world, a professional, transactional model. He understands that players move, rosters change and the days of developing freshmen into seniors are mostly gone.”
College basketball has evolved into an offseason arms race of recruiting and roster management, and Pitino has proven he can thrive in that environment. With the transfer portal reshaping team-building, St. John’s has emerged as one of the most aggressive and successful programs in adapting to the new era.
“That’s actually impactful for our fanbase too,” Kull added. “The excitement and hype around this season are as high as they’ve ever been. I think it’s the most challenging schedule we’ve ever created. Pressure is a privilege.”
More importantly, Kull believes this revival is about more than just basketball. It’s about reconnecting the university community with a team that embodies its identity.
“Our students and alums have waited a long time for this,” Kull said. “I want them to feel like they’re part of it, not that it’s just a professional model. This is still their team.”
After 25 years of waiting, St. John’s basketball is back where it belongs, in the national spotlight. The Red Storm open their season on November 3rd against Quinnipiac at Carnesecca Arena, where the energy on Union Turnpike is already electric.
