Keyshawn Hall Can Be One of Most Impactful Transfers in Nation

Jeff Borzello and Paul Biancardi of ESPN made a list ranking the impact of 67 college basketball newcomers, with the St. John's Red Storm featured prominently.

There are three St. John's players featured on this list, including transfer Keyshawn Hall, who is ranked No. 11, right behind his new teammate Tounde Yessoufou, a transfer from the Baylor Bears.

On August 25, St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino landed Hall, a fifth-year Auburn University transfer. He is a forward from Cleveland, Ohio who had the best season of his career last season with Auburn.

Hall is playing for his fifth school in five years, most recently playing for the Auburn Tigers. Similar to many players in NCAA basketball and a couple of players on the Red Storm, Hall is still awaiting the status of his eligibility this season.

Keyshawn Hall can make major impact for St. John's

Auburn Tigers forward Keyshawn Hall (7) celebrates a basket. — Auburn Tigers forward Keyshawn Hall (7) celebrates a basket as Auburn Tigers take on Wofford Terriers at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Auburn Tigers defeated Wofford Terriers 93-62. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

He is coming off a 2025-26 season with the Tigers in which he averaged 19.3 points per game, 7.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He shot 45.1% from the field and 37.9% from 3-point range.

In addition to his strong shooting from the field and beyond the arc, the 6-foot-6 forward’s ability to draw fouls and shoot from the free-throw line is also a key skill in his game.

He posted an 85.7% shooting percentage on free throws and ranks ninth in the country, averaging six made free throws per game. His 228 made free throws set a new Auburn single-season record. He has also averaged 6.7 fouls drawn per 40 minutes.

Hall earned Third-team All-SEC with the Tigers last season, Second-team All-Big 12 honors with the UCF Knights in 2024-25 and Second-team All-A10 with the George Mason Patriots in 2023-24.

Slight update in Keyshawn Hall case. NCAA sent letter to judge, claiming Hall signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Heat. His attorney responded with proof he had not, including a letter from the Heat. Decision on his injunction can come at any time. #sjubb
— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) October 20, 2026

Speaking about both Hall and teammate Quinn Ellis after St. John’s exhibition game against Drexel, Pitino said that while the two of them have upside, there are still improvements to make in their game.

“I really love our upside, but we’re behind on our fundamentals,” Pitino said. “You would rather have outstanding talent that needs to learn how to play than a little bit of talent that’s fundamentally sound. We have a lot of improvements to make, but I was impressed with how hard they played defensively and did a lot of good things.”

Especially with the injury to Red Storm’s starting forward, Donnie Freeman, Hall’s role with the team is even more essential for their success.

While Hall’s eligibility case is still up in the air, St. John’s has a lot to be excited about as he gears up to hopefully play his fifth year of college basketball. Hall’s ranking at No. 11 on ESPN’s list of most impactful newcomers shows how important a player he will be for the Red Storm, as long as he is eligible to play.

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