Dillon Mitchell, the Cincinnati transfer, has officially been named a captain for the St. John’s men’s basketball team for the 2025-26 season. Mitchell will join Zuby Ejiofor and Sadiku Ibine Ayo as the Red Storm’s co-captains.

Everyone was shocked to hear the news, even Mitchell himself.

“I had no clue I’d be named a captain,” Mitchell said. “We were in film and the coach said I’d be part of the captains. It feels good that I was used to help give the team more leadership.”

Mitchell has instantly made an impact with the St. John’s program: high-flying offensive finishes, energy-filled defense and to Rick Pitino’s surprise, impactful leadership.

“I didn’t know,” Pitino said of Mitchell’s strong leadership trait. “The players really look up to him. I also think he believes in all the things that comprise the elements of being a good captain.”

Through the first three St. John’s games, Mitchell has made one of the biggest impacts, averaging 11 points, along with three steals per contest and a block.

The strongest part of Mitchell’s game has been the fact he can command the court as a point forward, providing the Johnnies with crucial minutes, whether it’s off the bench or in the starting rotation. During his time with the Bearcats, Mitchell averaged just nine points in 28 minutes, but filled the defensive sheet with a steal per game and seven rebounds.

Even with Mitchell’s role mainly being off the bench, Pitino still has high praise for the forward. “I’m bringing him in off the bench. In the end, he will get the Sixth Man of the Year. He’s shown a tremendous spark at practice with leadership.”

With the world of college basketball currently being madness regarding the transfer portal, Dillon Mitchell has given Johnnies fans much to cheer about, an impactful player who’s already marked his territory for a category five storm here in Queens.