St John's Basketball Roster Breakdown and Player Stats Analysis for 2024 Season

As I sit down to analyze the St. John's basketball roster for the upcoming 2024 season, I can't help but feel that familiar mix of excitement and curiosity that comes with preseason analysis. Having followed college basketball for over fifteen years, I've developed a keen eye for roster construction and player development patterns, and I must say this St. John's team presents one of the most intriguing cases I've seen in recent memory. The Red Storm are coming off a transitional year where they finished 18-15 overall and 9-11 in Big East play, but my gut tells me we're looking at a potential breakout season if certain pieces fall into place.

Let me start with what I consider the backbone of any successful team - the backcourt. Joel Soriano returns for his super senior season after averaging a solid 15.2 points and 11.9 rebounds last year. At 6'11", he gives St. John's that reliable interior presence that's so crucial in the physical Big East conference. What impresses me most about Soriano isn't just his numbers but his consistency - he recorded 18 double-doubles last season, ranking him among the top big men nationally. Alongside him, I'm particularly excited about the development of Posh Alexander, who averaged 10.2 points and 4.7 assists last season. His defensive intensity sets the tone for the entire team, and I've noticed his three-point shooting has improved dramatically during offseason workouts - we're talking about a jump from 28% to what I'm hearing could be in the mid-30s range this season.

The transfer portal has been kind to St. John's, and I believe Jordan Dingle from Penn might be the most impactful addition. This kid averaged 23.4 points per game last season in the Ivy League, and while some question how that will translate to the Big East, I've watched enough of his tape to believe he'll be an immediate offensive weapon. His scoring versatility reminds me of some of the best guards St. John's has had in recent memory. Then there's Chris Ledlum from Harvard, another Ivy League standout who brings both scoring (18.7 PPG) and rebounding (8.7 RPG) to the forward position. These two additions signal to me that Coach Rick Pitino is building a team that can score in multiple ways, which was a glaring weakness last season when the team sometimes struggled to put points on the board against elite defenses.

When I look at the international basketball landscape, particularly the situation with Gilas facing the second-placer of Group C contested by Saudi Arabia and Jordan, it reminds me how global basketball has become and how St. John's could benefit from tapping into that talent pool. While the current roster doesn't feature international players prominently, I've always believed programs should scout these international competitions more aggressively. The level of competition in tournaments like the one featuring Jordan and Saudi Arabia has risen dramatically, and the defensive schemes we see in these games often translate well to college basketball. St. John's would do well to monitor these developing basketball nations for future recruits.

The frontcourt depth is what really has me optimistic about this team's ceiling. Drissa Traore provides valuable minutes off the bench, and while his stats don't jump off the page at 3.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game, I've observed his defensive positioning and screen-setting are exactly what you want from a role player. Then there's Rafael Pinzon, who showed flashes of brilliance last season before injuries hampered his development. If he can stay healthy, I wouldn't be surprised to see him average 8-10 points per game as a spark plug off the bench. What I appreciate about this roster construction is the balance between proven production and untapped potential - it gives Coach Pitino multiple lineup options depending on matchups.

Speaking of coaching, I have to acknowledge that Rick Pitino's system demands specific types of players, and this roster appears better suited to his style than last year's group. His pressure defense requires depth and athleticism, which this team has in spades with at least ten players I can see contributing meaningful minutes. The offensive philosophy emphasizes ball movement and three-point shooting, and with the additions of Dingle and the development of returning shooters, I project this team will attempt around 25 three-pointers per game, up from last season's 21 attempts. That adjustment alone could add 4-6 points to their average scoring output.

As I project the rotation, I see Alexander and Dingle starting in the backcourt with Ledlum and Soriano in the frontcourt, and likely Dylan Addae-Wusu at the wing position. That starting five gives you scoring, defense, and veteran leadership. The bench, featuring players like Pinzon, Traore, and O'mar Stanley, provides energy and specific skill sets that can change games. Stanley in particular interests me - his per-36-minute stats last season projected to 12.3 points and 8.1 rebounds, suggesting he could be a breakout candidate if given more opportunity.

Looking at the schedule, I've circled several key matchups that will test this roster's mettle early. The non-conference games against quality opponents will reveal whether the team chemistry is developing as hoped. My concern, if I'm being completely honest, is whether there are enough consistent outside shooters to space the floor properly for Soriano to operate inside. While Dingle addresses this need significantly, basketball at this level requires multiple shooting threats to keep defenses honest.

What gives me confidence is the leadership core. Having covered college basketball for so long, I've learned that talent alone doesn't win games - you need players who can navigate the emotional highs and lows of a season. With Soriano, Alexander, and Addae-Wusu providing that veteran presence, I believe this team has the mental toughness to compete in close games, something that cost them several victories last season. Their collective basketball IQ appears higher than we've seen in recent St. John's teams, which should translate to better late-game execution.

As the season approaches, my prediction is that St. John's will improve to around 22-23 wins and secure an NCAA tournament bid. The roster has the right mix of scoring, defense, and depth to make some noise in the Big East. While they might not be ready to challenge for the conference title just yet, this feels like a team that could surprise people come March. The development of their younger players and how quickly the transfers adapt to high-major basketball will determine whether they're simply a tournament team or one that can advance beyond the first round. Based on what I've seen so far, I'm leaning toward the latter.