Rick Pitino Heaps Praise on St. John’s Basketball Transfer

A St. John's Red Storm transfer is making an impact despite not being on the court.

Oct 1, 2026; New York, NY, USA; St. John's Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino speaks at 2026 Big East Media Day at Marriott Marquis. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

St. John’s Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino has done some great work over his first three seasons at the helm of the program.

He wanted to put St. John’s basketball back on the map as a national power, and he has accomplished that feat. The team has improved each season under his watch, missing the NCAA tournament in 2024 before qualifying in 2025 and 2026. In 2025, they won one game, and in 2026, they won two.

If eligibility rulings go in their favor, the roster for the 2026-27 season could be the best yet for Pitino. That says a lot because one of their star transfers, five-star player Donnie Freeman, isn’t going to be able to take the court.

Freeman, a transfer from the Syracuse Orange, suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the offseason, but that hasn’t kept him from making an impact on the team. Pitino took to X to share praise for the talented forward, who is setting an example for his teammates to follow despite not being able to participate with them on the court.

Donnie Freeman has impressed Rick Pitino

Mar 7, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange forward Donnie Freeman (1) warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“I'm super impressed with the work ethic and attitudes of our guys. But there is something I've not seen in my long tenure. Donnie Freeman had a heartbreaking injury blowing out his achilles, yet every day on a scooter or boot he's early to film and practice, rooting his teammates on. Special young man that will succeed big in life!” Pitino wrote on a post on X.

Freeman was part of the No. 1 transfer class in the country that the Red Storm compiled this offseason. He is the third-best player, based on rankings, in this year’s transfer class behind two five-star players: Tounde Yessoufou, formerly of the Baylor Bears and Keyshawn Hall, who is fighting for a fifth year of eligibility after playing with the Auburn Tigers last season.

After averaging 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 29.1 minutes per game in his first two collegiate seasons with Syracuse, he was expected to fill a huge role in the St. John’s frontcourt to help compensate for the losses of Zuby Ejiofor, Bryce Hopkins and Dillon Mitchell.

I'm super impressed with the work ethic and attitudes of our guys. But there is something I've not seen in my long tenure. Donnie Freeman had a heartbreaking injury blowing out his achilles, yet every day on a scooter or boot he's early to film and practice, rooting his teammates…

— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) October 6, 2026

Unfortunately, he won’t be contributing this season because of the Achilles injury, but he is someone that Pitino and the Red Storm will be counting on in the future. He will have two years of eligibility remaining and can be a centerpiece of the team for the 2027-28 campaign.

Given how involved he is right now despite the injury, Freeman is going to be as prepared as any player to play in Pitino’s system next season. He may not get on-court reps this year, but he will be ready to go with a year under his belt of learning how things operate in Queens.