Predicting St. John’s Basketball Starting Lineup for Season

Who is going to be in the starting five for the St. John's Red Storm this season?

Oct 1, 2026; New York, NY, USA; A jersey display for the St. John's Red Storm at the 2026 Big East Media Day at Marriott Marquis. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The St. John’s Red Storm are set to start the 2026-27 men’s college basketball season with an exhibition game against the Drexel Dragons at Carnesecca Arena.

In a great turn of events, the Red Storm are going to have their entire roster available for the game. There were a lot of players stuck in eligibility limbo, but head coach Rick Pitino will have his full allotment of players for the first exhibition game.

With a deep and talented roster, this team could do some damage once the regular season rolls around. Who is going to be the first players on the court? Let’s take a crack at predicting who the starting five will be for St. John’s this season.

Quinn Ellis, Point Guard

Rick Pitino said Ellis is on same level at Pg as the two best ones he’s had at St. John’s: Kadary Richmond and Daniss Jenkins. #sjubb

— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) October 13, 2026

An international addition, Quinn Ellis was cleared and deemed eligible right before the exhibition slate began. He is someone who will bring vast experience of high-level basketball as a 23-year-old who has played professionally and represented Great Britain in competition.

Pitino has already sung his praises, believing Ellis is as good as the best point guards he has had during his time with the Red Storm, Kadary Richmond and Daniss Jenkins. That puts immense expectations on him entering his first season in Queens.

Ian Jackson, Shooting Guard

A former five-star recruit in high school, Ian Jackson began his collegiate career with the North Carolina Tar Heels. He transferred to St. John’s for his sophomore season and had some bumps in the road, but is now fully bought in.

He was named one of the team’s captains and has drawn praise from Pitino, who believes he will be one of the best players in the country. Reports indicate he has been torching teammates in practice and is poised for a breakout campaign.

Year 2 under Pitino should be an exciting one.

Tounde Yessoufou, Small Forward

Mar 7, 2026; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears guard Tounde Yessoufou (24) shoots a free throw during the second half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

A dynamic wing scorer, Tounde Yessoufou tested the waters entering the 2026 NBA Draft. He withdrew right ahead of the deadline and committed to the Red Storm, who reportedly paid him a hefty sum in NIL money.

His addition is a massive one, given the potential he possesses as a two-way wing. He will be motivated to improve on the weaknesses NBA scouts told him to work on while looking to become the third consecutive St. John’s player to win the Big East Player of the Year Award.

Pitino has a way of unlocking defensive potential in players. If he can do that with Yessoufou, he will create a two-way monster.

Keyshawn Hall, Power Forward

This is the toughest spot to predict in the starting lineup. Keyshawn Hall and Babacar Sane are both eligible, for now, but that could change at a moment’s notice, as they both have temporary restraining orders making them eligible.

For now, Hall will get the edge. The Red Storm are the fifth team he will be playing for in five years as a well-traveled collegiate player. He has averaged at least 16.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game in three straight seasons, producing at every stop along the way.

His 3-point shooting will be key to opening up this offense.

Ruben Prey, Center

Mar 3, 2026; New York, New York, USA; St. John's Red Storm forward Ruben Prey (17) drives against Georgetown Hoyas center Vincent Iwuchukwu (3) in the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

A returnee from last season’s Sweet 16 team, along with Jackson, Ruben Prey has been receiving a lot of positive feedback for the work he has done this summer. He shined in his debut with the Portugal National Team and looks poised for a breakout with St. John’s.

Rarely have players stuck around for multiple seasons, but Prey can follow in the footsteps of Zuby Ejiofor, a big man who took his time developing under Pitino’s tutelage and turned into a first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

There’s work to be done to become an NBA prospect, but a stretch-five is always appealing. His per-40-minute stats certainly provide a lot of intrigue and optimism for the 2026-27 campaign.