Joson Sanon, a promising young talent from Arizona State, has decided to join St. John’s under the guidance of legendary coach Rick Pitino. Sanon, who just finished his freshman year, averaged 11.9 points over roughly 28 minutes of game time. Known for his shooting ability—he hit 36.9% of his three-point shots—Sanon didn’t waste time exploring other options after entering the transfer portal.
“I want to prove Coach Pitino right about my work ethic,” Sanon shared. He admires Pitino’s approach to defense and is ready to dig in. His decision came quickly, with his agent, Derek Malloy of LIFT Sports Management, telling him that playing for Pitino was a golden opportunity. "New York City, Madison Square Garden, Rick Pitino. It doesn’t get better than that," Malloy said.
St. John’s recently made headlines as they reached the NCAA tournament as the No. 2 seed, but they faced a tough loss against Arkansas, with a disappointing shooting performance from beyond the arc. The team struggled, making only two shots out of 22 attempts from three-point range. This makes Sanon’s skills in scoring from long range all the more valuable.
Next season will be a time of change for St. John’s. They are likely to lose key players, as several starters—including seniors who averaged significant minutes—move on. Even their high-scoring juniors might not return, adding to the uncertainty in team dynamics.
The college basketball landscape is rapidly changing, with over 1,150 Division I players jumping into the transfer portal this week alone. This is a significant increase compared to previous years. The shift reflects a growing trend where players are seeking better opportunities and visibility.
With technology and social media shaping the way fans engage with the game, reactions on platforms like Twitter reveal mixed emotions. Some fans are excited about the prospect of new talent, while others worry about losing familiar faces.
As teams adapt to these changes, the strategies surrounding recruitment and player development will continue to evolve, creating an intriguing environment for college basketball.
For further context on the transfer portal’s impact, you can check out the NCAA’s official statistics, which detail trends in player movements and recruitment changes NCAA Transfer Portal Statistics.
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