By SAM LANCE & ADAM ZAGORIA
Rick Pitino has landed a high school prospect for next season’s roster. Kelvin Odih, the No. 64 player in the 2025 class, committed to St. John’s on Wednesday.
Odih — the 6-foot-4, 190-pound guard out of SoCal Acadmey and the Rhode Island Elite Puma AAU program — was originally committed to West Virginia. He reopened his recruitment after its coaching change and now lands with the Red Storm.
“I’m committing to St. John’s University,” he told ZAGSBLOG. “I will be bringing my toughness, defense , and rebounding, as well as the ability to do whatever I can to help my team win.”Great to have another talented freshman join the strong nucleus of veterans. Welcome to the family Kelvin! pic.twitter.com/ovnqS7wSsV
— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) April 30, 2025
4⭐️ Wing and recent WVU decommit Kelvin Odih is on campus at St. John’s for a visit today.
— Red Storm Rapid Reaction Podcast (@StJohnsBballPod) April 28, 2025
Rhode Island native is a strong and physical athlete who has a reputation as a defensive standout. #SJUBB pic.twitter.com/guXm19ERuW
The guard is known as a top-notch defender. He’s very athletic and explosive. His skillset is a perfect match for Pitino’s Johnnies, who thrived on its defensive identity last season.
Pitino previously said you “can’t win big” with high school kids, but Odih is the only 2025 recruit St. John’s has brought in. The roster is composed of mostly proven players, including returnee Zuby Ejiofor and transfer portal commits Bryce Hopkins, Dillon Mitchell, Dylan Darling, Ian Jackson, Joson Sanon and Oziyah Sellers.
Odih visited St. John’s on Monday, April 28. It didn’t take long for him to commit.
“Kelvin is one of the best two-way guys in the country, one of, it not the hardest, workers I’ve ever been around,” said coach Nick Light of Rhode Island Elite. “His ability to defend multiple positions, rebound the ball at a high level and flourish in transition should help St. John’s compete for championships from Day 1. “His offensive skill set has taken major jumps in the last year, shooting it at a high clip at SoCal Academy. Coach Pitino is known as one of the best skill developers in the country; [with] a couple years in St. John’s system with the daily development, we think his upside is thru the roof and has a chance to be a special player for The Red Storm.” Photo: via Jamie Shaw Follow Sam Lance on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram