St. John’s leading the way in KJ Lewis recruitment

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St. John’s basketball handed Rick Pitino full confidence in leading the Red Storm for years to come. That includes Pitino earning leverage to pursue rival talent via the College Basketball Transfer Portal. Looks like Georgetown star KJ Lewis rises as one to watch among the Johnnies.

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College basketball insider for On3/Rivals Joe Tipton revealed Tuesday that the Big East champs are the frontrunner to land Lewis.

“Former Georgetown guard KJ Lewis was an All-Big East selection this season for the Hoyas, averaging nearly 15 PPG. The first school that I was told to watch once he declared his intentions to enter the portal was St. John’s,” Tipton wrote in his portal report.

Lewis boosts the Red Storm’s Final Four chances for 2026-27 if brought over. Already St. John’s landed in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999. The past national champion head coach Pitino will need a new sharpshooter anyway. Pitino relied heavily on forward/center Zuby Ejiofor and his versatility plus former Providence forward Bryce Hopkins.

But St. John’s shooting became inconsistent most of the season. North Carolina transfer Ian Jackson looked more like a defender and rim attacker but not a true point guard. Dylan Darling saved St. John’s season against Kansas, yet comes with size limitations. Hence why the former Hoyas star Lewis rises as a trending fit in Queens, NY.

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St. John’s and Pitino still has two other threats in the pursuit of Lewis, per Tipton.

“Plenty of others will likely be in the mix, like SMU, Texas A&M and others,” the insider said.

Both Lonestar State programs played in the field of 68 with the Red Storm this past March. Lewis is also an El Paso native, handing both teams leverage to pursue him. Lewis will be a senior next season.

Related: NC State basketball rumors: Wolfpack expected to go after No….

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/st-john-leading-way-kj-224534261.html

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Publish date : 2026-04-07 22:45:00

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