BY ZACH SMART
St. John’s has now secured a commitment from Gildas Giminez, a Burkinabè-Spanish wing who spent his past two seasons at national power CIA Bella Vista (AZ).
The 6-foot-6 Giminez brings a high level skill set and a deft shooting touch from 18-20 feet.
The 19-year-old Giminez was a supplemental scoring piece and a glue guy, helping propel Spain to a a 2025 FIBA U18 EuroBasket title. He averaged 8.4 points and 3.7 boards during the conquest, shooting 60 percent from the field.
He played a more substantial role two years prior to this, as he averaged 14.4 points and 6.6 boards in helping spearhead Spain’s FIBA U-16 team to a Eurobasket title.
His upside is notable in his concepts of the game and awareness.
Giminez has shown flashes as a workmanlike small forward who could provide depth in the post alongside Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman and a frontline looking to fill the void left by 2026 Big East Player of the Year Zuby Efiojor (16.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.5 APG).
St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino continues to tap into the international market, as Giminez now joins a recruiting haul which includes Djordije Jovanović (Montenegro), Lazar Stojković (Serbia), Babacar Sane (Senegal), Theo Edema (Nigeria), Tounde Yessoufou (Benin) and highly acclaimed point guard Quinn Ellis (England).
A slick left handed play-maker and scorer, Ellis brings high level pro experience, having authored an early career with the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA).
Ellis was named as the league’s Best Young Player two seasons ago, simultaneously garnering Italian Cup MVP honors.
In Giminez, St. John’s gets a guy who appears prepared for the physical rigors of the Big East. He is the final scholarship player on the roster for the 2026-27 season.
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