Rick Pitino's Classy Gesture Pays Tribute to Late St. John's Legend Lou Carnesecca

Pitino wears a sweater inspired by late St. John's coach Carnesecca Saturday against Kansas State. | Screengrab via @StJohnsBBall on X/Twitter

In St. John's first game since the passing of legendary men's basketball coach Lou Carnesecca, current head coach Rick Pitino paid homage to the Hall of Famer.

Before the Johnnies' game against Kansas State Saturday, Pitino took off his suit jacket to reveal a tailor-made sweater that is a replica of Carnesecca's trademarked outfits.

This. Is. Awesome.

Rick Pitino had a tailor make him a Lou Carnesecca replica sweater. The Hall of Famer pays tribute to the St. John’s legend. A standing ovation in Queens. pic.twitter.com/UTWcnxo9XE

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) December 7, 2024

Rick Pitino is wearing a tailor-made replica sweater today to pay homage to the late Lou Carnesecca 🙌

(📸: @StJohnsBBall, @leaguefits) pic.twitter.com/VH7H53xAgf

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) December 7, 2024

Pitino cracked a smile as he revealed his custom tribute sweater, which led to a standing ovation from the fans at Carnesecca Arena. Carnesecca's seat at the stadium was left empty, per John Fanta of Fox Sports, and there was a pregame moment of silence to honor the late coach.

Lou Carnesecca’s seat is left empty today. Here’s the pregame moment of silence in Queens. pic.twitter.com/qMKsf59ola

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) December 7, 2024

Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang also wore a sweater Saturday as a nod to Carnesecca.

This is really classy from Jerome Tang. The Kansas State head coach is also wearing a sweater in honor of Lou Carnesecca. pic.twitter.com/x7HCvTv90T

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) December 7, 2024

Carnesecca, also known as "Looie," died on Nov. 30, his family told the school. A St. John's alum, he led the men's basketball team for 24 years, beginning with a five-season stint from 1965 to '70 and then returned to coach the Johnnies from '73 to '92. He coached the New York Nets in the American Basketball Association for the three seasons in between.

“Looie had the quality of humility and the love of his players like no other coach,” Pitino said in September at a fund-raising dinner recognizing Carnesecca via the New York Daily News. “You knew why when you got to know him why the players loved him so much.

"I will never be able to be Lou Carnesecca at St. John’s, but I will be able to represent him in the right light.”

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