By ADAM ZAGORIA
St. John’s added its backup point guard in Columbia transfer Avery Brown, sources confirmed.
The 6-foot-4 Beacon Falls, Conn. native will back up British point guard Quinn Ellis, who is reportedly receiving $4.3M in NIL money.
“We needed someone in the backcourt that has had great experience, we wanted an older player, a veteran, that could help lead our new group and Avery brings that to our basketball team,”said Head Coach Rick Pitino. “He is a Columbia graduate, he has a great personality, he’s physically tough at 6-foot-4 and we’re super excited to have him.”
“Avery is a great match for St, John’s and Rick Pitino,” former Northfield Mount Hermon (Mass.) coach John Carroll told ZAGSBLOG. “He provides depth and veteran leadership to the backcourt. He’s terrific in the open court and is a committed defender. A great teammate that guys love to have on their side. He’s ready!”
Brown averaged 4.3 points in just three games last season before suffering facial fractures in a game at UConn on Nov. 11.
As a junior in 2024-25, he averaged 11.1 points and 2.8 assists for the Lions.
“Choosing St. John’s was about putting myself in a position to compete for championships and grow in a winning environment,” Brown told ZAGSBLOG.
“I believe Coach P and the staff will bring out the best of me on and off the court and I’m excited to be a Johnnie. I take pride in leading the right way, building trust with my teammates and being someone they like being on the floor with.
“I play with great pace, I can score and facilitate, and I take pride in being a committed defender and making winning plays.”
St. John’s previously added three international players in Ellis, 18-year-old 7-footer Lazar Stojković of Serbia and 6-foot-8 Đorđije Jovanović of Montenegro, as well as Syracuse transfer forward Donnie Freeman.
St. John’s lost Dylan Darling, Joson Sanon and Kelvin Odih to the portal and will return guard Lefty Liotopoulos, wing Ian Jackson and big man Ruben Prey.
They remain in the mix for 7-1 Arizona State transfer center Massamba Diop, who will visit this weekend.
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