The first four months of Rick Pitino’s return to the biggest stage of college basketball have proved out one unmistakable fact: St. John’s is officially a recruiting powerhouse, at least for as long as Pitino stalks the sidelines in Queens.
The latest piece of evidence: The commitment of Harvard grad transfer and Brooklyn native Chris Ledlum, who flipped to the Johnnies after originally matriculating at Tennessee this spring. Ledlum was one of the most sought-after players in the transfer portal after averaging more than 18 points and eight rebounds in the Ivy League and was recruited heavily by a slew of high-profile programs the first time around. He’s a big, versatile wing with a high-major body capable of scoring in bunches and defending multiple positions. The announcement gives Pitino yet another high-profile addition to his 2023–24 roster, which now features 12 newcomers and 10 total transfers.
“Coach Pitino is probably the best coach in the country, and there’s no place like home,” Ledlum told the New York Post. “I feel like we can do something really great here at home.”
