Why Tounde Yessoufou Will Be Big East Player of the Year for St. John's Basketball

Here's why Tounde Yessoufou could be the Big East Player of the Year for St. John's

Feb 24, 2026; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears guard Tounde Yessoufou (24) scores a basket against Arizona Wildcats forward Tobe Awaka (30) during the first half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The St. John’s Red Storm are getting set for the start of the season, and the team will be hopeful to take another step forward. While they do have a ton of eligibility concerns for some key players, they do have some excellent talent that will be available. 

St. John’s had a very strong third season under head coach Rick Pitino, and the program continues to head in the right direction. Last season, the Red Storm were able to reach the 30-win plateau once again and brought home their second straight Big East title. 

In the NCAA Tournament, they received a tough placement by the committee, but were able to reach the Sweet 16 and gave the Duke Blue Devils a run for their money. Unfortunately, the team came up just short, but it was a step in the right direction once again. 

This offseason, Pitino once again got into the transfer portal to try and improve the roster with some proven and elite talent. While the eligibility status of some of those players will be a concern, the talent is still there for St. John’s to be one of the best teams in the country. 

A main reason for their potential success is going to be sophomore guard Tounde Yessoufou. 

Yessoufou Could be Big East Player of the Year

Mar 7, 2026; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears guard Tounde Yessoufou (24) dunks the ball ahead of Utah Utes guard Obomate Abbey (21) during the second half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

While there is some good talent not only on the Red Storm but in the rest of the Big East, Yessoufou will be entering the campaign as one of the conference’s best players. 

Coming off a really impressive freshman campaign with the Baylor Bears, Yessoufou was widely regarded as one of the best players to enter the portal. 

Last season, he averaged 17.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game. On both ends of the court, Yessoufou can be a disruptor, and he figures to fit in well with what Pitino will be trying to accomplish next season. 

Considering the numbers that he was able to put up as a freshman in a tough Big 12 conference, the sky is the limit for him this year. Yessoufou could easily score 20 points per game for the Red Storm next season, especially if some key players are ruled ineligible. 

At 6’5”, he has some excellent size and will be on the wing for the Red Storm. While it's fair to be concerned about who will actually be playing for St. John’s, Yessoufou screams a potential Big East Player of the Year.