By ADAM ZAGORIA
Hall of Fame St. John’s coach Rick Pitino has a message for some of the top players in the NBA Draft and transfer portal who may consider pulling out of the Draft and returning to school.
The withdrawal deadline is May 27 and St. John’s has been linked to Iowa State transfer forward Milan Momcilovic and five-star Baylor wing Tounde Yessoufou , among others.
“We have roster spots available if anyone wants to join this basketball team,” Pitino said Monday on a Zoom call with reporters.
With the recent signings of Mercer transfer Kyle Cuffe Jr. and Cushing Academy (MA) five-star big man Theo Edema, St. John’s is at 13 scholarships for 2026-27.
‘We’re looking for two more pieces,” Pitino said.
The 6-foot-8 Momcilovic could get $5 million in the portal if he returns to school but is focused on the NBA Draft. He said recently that Kentucky “would be a good fit,” but Louisville and St. John’s have also been linked to the sharpshooter.
The 6-5 Yessoufou, who averaged 17.8 points and 5.9 rebounds last season, is focused on the draft and not on returning to school.
“To be honest, I’ve never thought about that one because I’m not planning on returning [to college],” Yessoufou said at the Combine. “Again, my main focus is just the draft.”
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