BY ALEJANDRO LOPEZ & ADAM ZAGORIA
It’s not often a Tuesday in early October can have a major impact on the rest of a program’s season, but that is exactly what happened for St. John’s.
The Johnnies received a double-dose of good news when key transfer forward Keyshawn Hall and British guard Quinn Ellis were both ruled eligible to play for the Red Storm in the 2026-27 season, a source confirmed to ZAGSBLOG on Tuesday.
“Ticket office phone lines are buzzing!!!” a St. John’s source said.
The 6-foot-7 Hall, an Auburn transfer who is on his fifth school in five years, had his TRO in Queens Court upheld, while the 6-5 Ellis, who is earning North of $4 million in NIL, was fully cleared by the NCAA.
The news was first reported by Newsday.
While many on the outside waited in anticipation for the ruling regarding the two recruits, St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino never seemed concerned, stating at Big East Media Day that he expected all of his players to be eligible this season. Now, the Johnnies are all prepared for the start of what is poised to be an exciting season.
St. John’s will have Hall, Ellis, Babacar Sane and Indiana transfer Reed Bailey, who is also under an active TRO, available for its exhibition Wednesday vs. Drexel at Carnesecca Arena.
The regular season begins on Nov. 2 for St. John’s against Monmouth.
Last season, the Johnnies won the Big East regular season and tournament titles for the second straight year and then made their first Sweet 16 since 2000.
St. John’s was picked second this year in the Big East behind UConn.
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