Keyshawn Hall's Eligibility Status Will Have Major Impact on St. John's Basketball

The eligibility status of forward Keyshawn Hall will determine how good St. John's basketball could be.

Auburn Tigers forward Keyshawn Hall (7) dunks the ball 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

The St. John’s Red Storm are hoping to build upon a couple of very successful seasons, but they have some looming questions about who will actually be eligible for the team. 

Since Rick Pitino came in as the head coach of St. John’s, the narrative for the program has completely changed. For a long time, this was a program that had fallen from grace. 

While the team just missed the NCAA Tournament in his first year, they have been able to make it the last two years, along with a trip to the Sweet 16 last season. 

With it now being his fourth season with the program, this has the ability to be the most talented team that Pitino has had. However, there are a lot of looming questions about the eligibility of some international prospects, along with others that are seeking to get a fifth year of eligibility. 

While there will be a number of teams impacted by the courts' eventual ruling, St. John’s is one of the programs that really could be impacted. 

Myron Medcalf of ESPN recently wrote about St. John’s Keyshawn Hall and how he is one of the best players in the country, and he will be waiting to see whether or not he is eligible. 

Hall Playing Will Be Key for Red Storm

Auburn Tigers forward Keyshawn Hall (7) celebrates his three-pointer as Auburn Tigers take on NC State Wolfpack at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. Auburn Tigers defeated NC State Wolfpack 83-73. / USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

After initially being ruled eligible in a court case in Ohio, the NCAA was recently able to reverse that ruling, and this battle will continue in the court system. For St. John’s, Hall was a late commit to the program, but one that could really take them to the next level. 

Due to the loss of Donnie Freeman for the season, getting Hall once again raised the ceiling for the program. With the Auburn Tigers last year, the forward was one of the best players in the conference and is an excellent scorer. 

Last season, he averaged 19.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. From the field, he was a pretty efficient scorer, shooting the ball at over 45 percent from the field and then also just over 37 percent from beyond the arc. 

The hope is certainly going to be that Hall will be eligible for this season, and if he is, St. John’s can be a National Title contender. With a lot of things still in limbo, Hall is going to be one of the top players who will be hoping for a fifth year.