Ian Jackson returns home to play for Rick Pitino at St. John's
- Ian Jackson is transferring from North Carolina to St. John's University to play for coach Rick Pitino.
- Dillon Mitchell has joined St. John's after a season at Cincinnati, bringing valuable experience to the team.
- These transfers come as part of St. John's strategy to enhance their roster following a successful previous season.
In recent announcements, Ian Jackson, a guard from the University of North Carolina, has decided to transfer to St. John's University, where he will be returning to his hometown. Jackson, who had a notable freshman year with the Tar Heels averaging 11.9 points per game, is expected to fill the gap left by Kadary Richmond and Deivon Smith, who have concluded their college eligibility. Head coach Rick Pitino spoke highly of Jackson's potential as the team's next great point guard. Additionally, Dillon Mitchell, a 6-foot-8 forward from Cincinnati, has also joined St. John's, enhancing the team's roster. Mitchell averaged 9.9 points and 6.9 rebounds last season, ranking 10th nationally with 66 dunks. His recruitment adds experience and talent to Pitino's squad, which is looking to build on a highly successful season where the team achieved a 31-5 record and secured a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Both Jackson and Mitchell are part of a larger recruiting effort that has also seen transfers from Oziyah Sellers, Joson Sanon, and Bryce Hopkins. This recruiting drive is crucial for St. John's as they seek to maintain their competitive edge in the Big East and improve on last season's performance. The team’s success under Rick Pitino has generated excitement and high expectations for the upcoming season as they aim for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. With Jackson’s hometown connection and Mitchell's strong performance record, fans are hopeful that these additions will bring continued success to St. John's basketball program and solidify Pitino's legacy as a Hall of Fame coach.