The St. John's Red Storm, fresh off a sensational late-season surge that saw them win 22 of their final 24 games, are facing a pivotal offseason. Key contributors Zuby Ejiofor, Bryce Hopkins, Dillon Mitchell, and Oziyah Sellers have departed, leaving significant holes in the roster. But head coach Rick Pitino and his staff are wasting no time, aggressively targeting the transfer portal to reload for another run in the competitive Big East.

New rumors suggest the Johnnies are zeroing in on a pair of high-impact veterans to bolster their lineup. According to college basketball insider Adam Zagoria, the program has long been interested in Arizona State forward Massamba Diop. The freshman big man showed immense promise this past season, averaging 13.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. He would be a dynamic, long-term replacement for the departed Ejiofor, bringing immediate rim protection and scoring in the paint.

The backcourt could also receive a major boost. Reports indicate that Kansas State transfer Abdi Bashir is scheduled for a visit to Queens on April 13th. Bashir proved to be a reliable scorer and shooter for the Wildcats, posting 13.2 points per game while connecting on 44% of his three-point attempts. His prior season at Monmouth, where he averaged over 20 points a night, highlights his potential as a primary scoring threat. Adding a shooter of his caliber would be crucial for spacing the floor and replacing perimeter production.

These potential moves follow earlier reports linking St. John's to Kansas big man Flory Bidunga, signaling a clear intent to rebuild the frontcourt with established talent. For a program that has re-established itself as a force, this aggressive portal strategy is essential to maintaining momentum. Landing even one of these targets would be a major win for Pitino's squad as they look to build on last season's success and make a deeper push in March.