All-Big East 1st Team performer Kadary Richmond was the top prize remaining in the college basketball transfer portal up until he made his decision on Tuesday afternoon to stay close to home and remain in the Big East. Richmond began his collegiate career at Syracuse, but has spent the last three seasons in South Orange, New Jersey playing for the Seton Hall Pirates. Now, the Brooklyn native will be in Queens for the 2024-25 season, playing for Basketball Hall of Famer Rick Pitino at St. John's University.

“They were big on life after basketball and player development,” Richmond told Jonathan Givony and Jeff Borzello of ESPN.com. “That stood out to me, the way they kept it real from day one. They are going to allow me to showcase my ability and become a better basketball player and person. I'd like to make a long run deep into the NCAA tournament and eventually win a national championship. I'm ready to get to work and see what Coach Pitino has in store.”

What Coach Rick Pitino seemingly has in store is turning St. John's into a legitimate contender to win the Big East for the first time since the Johnnies walked away with the Big East Tournament title all the way back in 2000. Now, thanks to a transfer portal haul that is ranked by 247 Sports as the 4th-best in the country, it's officially time to wonder whether the New York Knicks are the only team that calls Madison Square Garden home who are legitimate title contenders. And all of that excitement that the entire city of New York is feeling for the Knicks, Kadary Richmond is hoping to capitalize on that.

“Seeing what Jalen Brunson is doing for New York City right now, winning in New York is a big thing. I want to be a part of that.”

Kadary Richmond playing against St. John's

The Newest Johnnies 

Kadary Richmond isn't the only new face who is heading to Queens to play for Rick Pitino. Joining Richmond in the St. John's backcourt next season will be Deivon Smith, a 6'0″ transfer from Utah who announced his decision to commit to the Johnnies on Monday. Smith averaged 13.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and a Pac-12-leading 7.1 assists per game last season for the Utes. He and Richmond should give St. John's one of the best and most prolific starting backcourts in the country.

“I like the additions we've put together. Deivon Smith is also all about winning and making winning plays,” Richmond told Givony and Borzello.

Along with Smith, St. John's has also added Vincent Iwuchukwu, a seven-foot center who started eleven games last season for the USC Trojans, as well as Aaron Scott, a long, 6'7″ guard who has started 72 games at North Texas the last two seasons.