Peyton Siva, the floor general of Rick Pitino’s 2013 national championship team at Louisville, has officially joined his mentor’s staff at St. John’s as an assistant coach.
The news first broke last month.
“Petyon is a world-class person and leader,” said Pitino. “Our players will be thrilled to have his expertise.”
Siva comes to Queens after spending two years on the staff of his alma mater under the direction of Head Coach Pat Kelsey. He began as the Cardinals’ director of player development and alumni relations in 2024-25 before being elevated to the role of assistant coach this past season. With Siva on staff, Louisville turned in a two-season record of 51-19, including a 29-9 mark in ACC play. The Cardinals made a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances and advanced to the round of 32 this past season after earning a no. 6 seed.
“I’m incredibly grateful for everything Louisville has meant to me throughout my life,” said Siva “The city, the university, and the fans have given me so much, and I’ll always be thankful. Thank you to Coach Pat Kelsey for giving me the opportunity to coach at my alma mater. It was truly an honor, and I’ll always be grateful for the belief and trust you placed in me.
“I’m also extremely excited for this next chapter. Getting the opportunity to join one of—if not the greatest—coaches of all time is something I don’t take lightly. Playing for Coach Rick Pitino was a dream, and now having the chance to coach alongside him is an incredible opportunity. St. John’s has established itself as one of the premier programs in college basketball over the past few years, and I’m excited to become a part of it. I can’t wait to get to work. Go Johnnies!”
One of the greatest guards in Louisville history, Siva is one of only three players to win BIG EAST Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors twice, doing so in 2012 and 2013. An Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American and Third Team All-BIG EAST selection as a senior in 2013, Siva led the Cardinals to their third national championship in program history after setting the Louisville single-season records for both steals (90) and assists (228). He was also named the BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2013.
Currently ranked second on the Louisville career lists for both assists (677) and steals (254), Siva was drafted by Detroit in the in the second round of the 2013 NBA Draft. He appeared in 24 games for the Pistons the following season before embarking on a successful overseas career that lasted the better part of a decade. After beginning in Italy and leading Serie A in assists in 2015-16, Siva moved to Alba Berlin, guiding the team to a pair of championships and earning a spot on the All-Basketball Bundesliga Team in 2018. After Germany, Siva spent time in Greece, New Zealand and Australia before returning home to the states.
A Seattle native, Siva was a McDonald’s All-American and Washington’s Mr. Basketball in 2009 after leading Franklin High School to a 3A State Tournament title.
A 2025 inductee into the Louisville Athletic Hall of Fame, Siva and his wife, Patience, are the proud parents of two daughters, Adalynn and Emersyn, and a son, Peyton Siva III.
With the addition of Siva, three of the Red Storm’s five assistant coaches won national championships as players (Steve Masiello, Taliek Brown).
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