Stephen A. Smith might’ve called it before anyone else. He had St. John’s reaching the Elite Eight—but not going further. However, the Red Storm didn’t even get that far. After a strong year capped with a Big East title and a No. 2 seed, they cruised past Omaha in the first round but couldn’t get past Arkansas in the Sweet 16. Their offense sputtered when it mattered most, and just like that, the season wrapped earlier than expected, without meeting even Stephen A.’s prediction.
Then came the shakeup. RJ Luis declared for the NBA Draft, taking his scoring and length with him. Just like that, one of St. John’s key pieces was gone. But every cloud has a silver lining—and for Pitino, that silver lining was an opportunity. A chance to reimagine the backcourt. A shot at something even better. He’s been eyeing elite talent from the jump—and now, all eyes are on Ian Jackson. “UNC transfer Ian Jackson is expected to announce today, per source,” an insider highlighted. That one line started to ripple across the college basketball world, especially in New York.
UNC transfer Ian Jackson is expected to announce today, per source
Major portal target for @StJohnsBBall pic.twitter.com/3SZl4gm6FJ
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) April 20, 2025
Jackson wasn’t just another freshman in North Carolina. He was the freshman—a five-star Bronx-born guard who walked into Chapel Hill with big expectations and delivered. Through 16 appearances at the start of the season, he averaged 15.4 points and 3.5 rebounds, shooting an impressive 50.9% from the field and 42.9% from deep. He lit up Notre Dame for 27 points, made the ACC All-Freshman Team, and consistently gave Tar Heel fans flashes of the future.
“He’s obviously getting a lot better defensively,” UNC head coach Hubert Davis said earlier this season. That development didn’t surprise Davis, who praised Jackson’s hunger to improve and round out his game. Jackson had the numbers, the growth, and the highlight plays—but despite all that, his time at UNC has come to an early end.
Part of that decision stems from the shifting landscape in Chapel Hill. After a frustrating close to the 2024–25 campaign, the Tar Heels hit reset. They revamped their frontcourt to address some glaring weaknesses, but in doing so, their backcourt quickly unraveled. RJ Davis ran out of eligibility, Elliot Cadeau transferred to Michigan, and Jackson—perhaps sensing a different role ahead or simply seeking a better fit—chose to explore new opportunities.
Now, the noise around St. John’s is getting louder. Jackson was no stranger to the Red Storm during his recruitment. Back in high school, they were among the programs pursuing him hardest before he ultimately chose UNC over bluebloods like Kentucky, LSU, and Oregon. But that interest from St. John’s? It never faded. If anything, it’s only grown stronger under Rick Pitino.
Pitino’s plan for Jackson is clear—and it’s built around both skill and story. Jackson, raised in a tight-knit Dominican family in the Bronx, has always drawn strength from home. A return to New York puts him right back in front of the people who’ve supported him from day one. It’s not just about minutes or role—it’s about roots.
And there’s momentum behind the scenes. “I still like St. John’s for Ian Jackson,” 247Sports’ Travis Branham said recently, noting the program’s positioning as the frontrunner. Jeff Goodman echoed that belief, adding, “If you get that [point guard], your starting lineup is friggin loaded.”
Whether Jackson slots in as a starter or an electric sixth man, the vision is taking shape. With a sharp-shooting Stanford transfer already locked in and Pitino aggressively reworking the backcourt, Jackson could be the final piece to round it out. And an insider recently said Jackson’s announcement will come Monday afternoon. That slight delay hasn’t slowed the buzz—it’s only heightened it. For St. John’s, it’s about more than just adding a scorer. It’s about bringing a star home. And for Jackson, it’s about turning the page—and maybe becoming the face of New York basketball in the process.
Rick Pitino finds Oziyah Sellers’ firepower to St. John’s backcourt
As Jeff Goodman put it, “Sellers are more important to them because they need shooters.” Pitino agrees. The addition of Oziyah Sellers to the St. John’s roster marks a pivotal move in Rick Pitino’s vision for the Red Storm’s future. Sellers, the 6-foot-5 guard who transferred from Stanford, is exactly what Pitino needed: a sharpshooter capable of stretching defenses and providing consistent scoring from the perimeter.
Sellers is coming off a stellar season at Stanford, where he averaged 13.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, showcasing his ability to light it up from outside. His 50.9% field goal shooting and 42.9% from three made him one of the more efficient and reliable scoring threats on the roster. That kind of production is exactly what St. John’s lacked during their NCAA Tournament run, which ended with an upset loss to Arkansas in the Round of 32.
Before his time at Stanford, Sellers spent two seasons at USC, where he played in 58 games and averaged 3.4 points per game on solid shooting splits of 44.6% from the field and 38.7% from three. The move to Stanford gave him the chance to step up and develop into a more confident scorer, and now, he’s bringing that experience and scoring touch to Queens.
Pitino’s plan is clear: surround his team with high-level shooters and athletic players who can thrive in a fast-paced, disciplined system. Sellers, who was a Top-150 recruit out of Southern California Academy, checks those boxes. On3 had him ranked as one of the top-25 shooting guards in his class and a Top-20 recruit out.
Sellers won’t be alone in this new-look Red Storm backcourt. He’ll join Joson Sanon, a transfer from Arizona State, and Bryce Hopkins, a veteran forward from Providence, both of whom averaged over 11 points per game last season. The trio gives Pitino the kind of depth and scoring firepower he’s been looking for.
The post Rick Pitino’s Waiting Time Can End Sooner Than Ever as Insider Hints UNC Star’s Major Announcement Is on the Verge appeared first on EssentiallySports.
