Dink Pate Providence Situation Is Cautionary Tale for St. John’s Basketball

The St. John’s Red Storm had their first exhibition game of the year, throttling the Drexel Dragons 81-52 at Carnesecca Arena.

Alas, it wasn’t the outcome that had people excited. It was the fact that St. John’s had their entire roster available and eligible to play. In the days leading into the game, there was uncertainty about who would be able to suit up, with several eligibility court cases still pending.

For now, the Red Storm have their full allotment of players available. But things are far from settled, with temporary injunctions or temporary retraining orders being all that is keeping some players eligible.

Around the country, teams are still awaiting final decisions on players. St. John’s doesn’t have to look very far for a cautionary tale of how quickly things can unravel, with the Providence Friars losing someone who was supposed to be a key part of their team: Dink Pate.

Dink Pate situation is not good news for St. John's

Team ELY guard Dink Pate (1) of the G League Ignite shoots the ball defended by Team Strictly forward Darius Bazley. — Feb 18, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Team ELY guard Dink Pate (1) of the G League Ignite shoots the ball defended by Team Strictly forward Darius Bazley (13) of the Delaware Blue Coats during the G-League Next Up game at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Pate has taken an unusual path in his basketball career. A star at West Dallas High School who was rated as a five-star recruit by ESPN, he made the decision to forgo a collegiate basketball career and play professionally for the NBA G League Ignite after reclassifying to the Class of 2023.

When the team shut down on March 28, 2024, he was left in limbo. Pate attempted to get a waiver to enter the 2024 NBA Draft, since he had turned 18 during the season, but it was denied. As a result, he signed with the Mexico City Capitanes on July 3, 2024.

He entered the 2025 NBA Draft and went undrafted, signing a deal with the Westchester Knicks on June 27, 2025. Pate produced with the Knicks, averaging 16 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.

On April 9, 2026, he committed to playing college basketball with Providence under new head coach Bryan Hodgson. However, his career with the Friars is ending before it truly began, with Pate deciding to head back to the G League.

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— Kevin McNamara (@KevinMcNamara33) October 16, 2026

His eligibility situation was a fluid one. Currently ineligible to play, he decided not to wait things out and return to the G League, attempting to beat out a deadline to secure a spot on a roster. It is believed that he will sign an Exhibit 10 deal with a team, likely Westchester, returning to where he played last season, per Kevin McNamara.

His NBA affiliate experience is something that will make some Red Storm fans nervous because Babacar Sane also played for the Ignite and has run into similar issues gaining eligibility. Right now, he has a temporary restraining order that is allowing him to play, but he has a hearing set for Nov. 9.

While no two situations are exactly the same, Pate’s inability to gain any resolution on his eligibility is certainly not a great sign for the St. John’s forward. For now, he is eligible because of the TRO and will be available for the last two preseason games and the first two regular season games.

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