Dylan Darling continues to prove he is Rick Pitino’s most clutch St. John’s player

A year ago at this time, Rick Pitino called Zuby Ejiofor his most valuable player, RJ Luis Jr. his most outstanding player and Kadary Richmond his most clutch player.

The St. John’s coach was asked for a similar breakdown Tuesday.

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He gave Ejiofor the nod for most outstanding, named Dillon Mitchell the most valuable, and the most clutch?

“Clutch player is obviously, you know who it is. It’s ‘Big Bells,’” Pitino said, referring to Dylan Darling.

After a road win at Xavier on Jan. 24, in which Darling hit the go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute, Pitino said Darling has “balls the size of church bells.”

St. John’s now gives out a “Big Bells” award of the game after wins to the player that contributes the most to a victory.

St. John’s Red Storm guard Dylan Darling #0 puts up a shot as Butler Bulldogs guard Azavier Robinson #23 defends during the second half. The St. John’s Red Storm defeated the Butler Bulldogs 92-70. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

The program even bought a large bell for the occasion.

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Over his past nine games, Darling is averaging 10.3 points, 2.2 assists and 1.4 steals off the bench, and has scored at least 16 points in three of the past four games.

Different Big East coaches, from Connecticut’s Dan Hurley to Xavier’s Richard Pitino to Creighton’s Greg McDermott, have raved about the Idaho State transfer’s two-way impact.

Dylan Darling of the St. John’s Red Storm goes up for a shot during the second half when the St. John’s Red Storm played the Creighton Bluejays Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. Robert Sabo for NY Post

Pitino has resisted starting Darling, preferring him as a reserve, in part to stay out of early foul trouble.

“I give him, obviously, a ton of credit,” Hurley…

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Publish date : 2026-02-25 04:23:00

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