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Pitino's new approach
St. John's passed on a traditional point guard last spring. It wasn't going that route this season. Plus: Hurricanes building a terrific base, a notable portal entrant, UConn gets back Demary, notable NBA draft entrants, and more.
Sean Paul
April 15, 2026
Good morning! Don’t forget to file your taxes today. Hope the players with NIL deals remembered to do that.
Let’s get to Tuesday’s news.
In partnership with D1.relocation
1. St. John’s goes international for its new PG
Rick Pitino went after combo guards last spring when building St. John’s roster. This year, he chose a different route to find his next point guard. Because he definitely wants a floor leader.
Quinn Ellis, a 23-year-old professional point guard, committed to the Red Storm on Tuesday. He currently plays for Olimpia Milano, which is 17-20 in the Euroleague and 17-7 in Serie A in Italy.
His numbers are solid in the EuroLeague; 8.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, and 49% from the field. He doesn't take a lot of 3s, going 23-of-61 (37%) from 3 in EuroLeague games, but is 10-of-42 (24%) in Serie A games. If that sounds like the type of guard St. John’s has relied on the last few years, there is one difference.
What sets Ellis apart is his lengthy 6-5 frame and superb passing ability. Plus, playing in the second-best league in the world with countless former NBA players and college stars can only help.
Will Ellis be eligible? The NCAA cabinet will meet today to discuss potential rule changes, including one that pertains to Ellis.
"Requiring prospects to withdraw from opt-in professional league drafts, including the NBA draft, bringing precollege enrollment draft rules in line with postcollege enrollment draft rules. The rules change would not impact sports in which prospects can be drafted without opting in to the respective professional league drafts (including men's ice hockey and baseball)."
In 2024, Ellis entered the NBA Draft as an early entrant and went undrafted. But if the NCAA puts this rule into place, it could try to fight Ellis's availability.
If Ellis is eligible, he could be one of the top playmaking point guards in the country — and he gives the Johnnies point guard stability it lacked last year.
2. ‘Canes could be formidable + more portal commits
Miami (Fla.) keeps making big moves. The Hurricanes have their big man in place (Somto Cyril) and a stud wing in Shelton Henderson. All they needed was a lead guard.
