The offseason for St. John’s men’s basketball has barely begun, but Rick Pitino and his staff are already moving with the urgency that has defined his tenure in New York. In a race to reshape the roster for the coming seasons, the program has scheduled St. John’s men’s basketball campus visits for two high-profile, power-conference transfer targets who could provide a significant boost to the Red Storm’s versatility and scoring depth.
The program is currently working to fill six scholarship vacancies for the 2026-27 season, a substantial number that allows Pitino to be aggressive in the transfer portal. The focus has shifted toward players with established high-major experience and, in some cases, deep ties to the tri-state area. According to recent reports, former Kansas State guard Abdi Bashir, Jr. And former Kentucky forward Mouhamed Dioubate are expected to arrive on campus early next week to evaluate the program.
While the recruitment of these two athletes represents a strategic push for talent, it also highlights a specific blueprint Pitino is following: finding “plug-and-play” athletes who possess a combination of size, athleticism, and a level of mental toughness required to survive the rigors of the Big East. Dioubate has already engaged with the staff via Zoom, signaling a strong mutual interest as the Red Storm look to solidify their wing rotation.
The Profile of a Perimeter Threat: Abdi Bashir, Jr.
Abdi Bashir, Jr. Arrives as a lethal scoring option who can stretch defenses to their breaking point. Standing 6-foot-7, the junior guard possesses the height to shoot over smaller defenders, making him a dangerous “microwave” scorer capable of changing the momentum of a game in a matter of possessions. His journey to the high-major level began at Monmouth in New Jersey, where he spent his first two collegiate seasons. It was there that Bashir first flashed his potential, breaking out as a sophomore and leading his team with 20.1 points per game.
Seeking to test himself against elite competition, Bashir transferred to Kansas State last season to be closer to his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. He proved he belonged in the Big 12, ranking second on the Wildcats’ team in scoring with 13.2 points per game. His efficiency was particularly striking from beyond the arc, where he shot 44.4% on 8.4 attempts per contest. Yet, his junior campaign was cut short after 18 games due to a stress fracture in his foot, leaving a question mark regarding his durability that the St. John’s medical staff will likely evaluate during his visit.
While Bashir may not be the traditional, bruising two-way guard Pitino often favors, his value lies in his spacing and playmaking. During his time at Kansas State, he maintained a 16.9% assist rate, demonstrating an ability to create for others that exceeds several of the current guards on the Red Storm roster. His standout performance last November—scoring 26 points on 7-of-15 from three-point range against a top-tier Nebraska team—serves as a preview of the offensive gravity he could bring to the Garden.
A Homecoming for Mouhamed Dioubate
If Bashir is the offensive spark, Mouhamed Dioubate is the defensive anchor Pitino is craving. A native of Queens, Dioubate’s potential return to his hometown is a narrative that appeals to both the coaching staff and the local fan base. Before his time at Kentucky and a stint at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut, Dioubate honed his skills at Flushing’s John Bowne High School, making him a true local product.
The rising senior forward is a natural fit for the Red Storm’s defensive identity. At 6-foot-7, he is somewhat undersized for a traditional power forward, but he compensates with a blend of raw strength and a long wingspan that allows him to disrupt passing lanes and protect the rim. At Kentucky, he averaged 8.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, while contributing 1.0 steal and 1.0 block per contest. He shot a sturdy 54.2% from the floor, proving his efficiency in the paint.
From a tactical standpoint, Pitino appears to be viewing Dioubate as a replacement for the specific role previously occupied by Dillon Mitchell. The goal is to secure a tempo-pushing wing who can ignite fastbreaks with underrated ball-handling skills while remaining a menace on the defensive end. Dioubate’s ability to carve out space inside and frustrate opposing shooters makes him an ideal candidate to maintain the transition scoring and defensive pressure the Johnnies have prioritized.
Comparison of Primary Transfer Targets
| Player | Position | Height | Key Stat (Last Season) | Primary Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdi Bashir, Jr. | Guard | 6’7″ | 44.4% 3PT | Three-Level Scoring |
| Mouhamed Dioubate | Forward | 6’7″ | 5.5 RPG / 1.0 BPG | Defensive Versatility |
Casting a Wide Net for the 2026-27 Roster
The pursuit of Bashir and Dioubate is only one part of a broader strategy to fill the six available scholarship spots. Pitino is casting a wide net across the portal, targeting players who can provide immediate impact in the frontcourt and backcourt. Among the names linked to the program is KJ Lewis, a gritty guard from Georgetown who fits the physical profile of a Big East defender.
The search for size is perhaps the most critical component of the current recruiting cycle. St. John’s is reportedly interested in Mor Massamba Diop, a 7-foot-1 freshman center from Arizona State who offers an intriguing blend of length and skill. Even more ambitious is the pursuit of Flory Bidunga. The star center, who earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors with Kansas, is weighing his options among several elite programs, including Duke, Michigan, and Louisville.
Securing a player of Bidunga’s caliber would signal a shift in the program’s defensive ceiling, providing a true rim protector to complement the perimeter pressure of players like Dioubate. The combination of these targets suggests that Pitino is not just looking for talent, but for a specific synergy of length and aggression across all five positions.
The next critical checkpoint for the program will be the outcome of the St. John’s men’s basketball campus visits scheduled for early next week. These visits will determine if the chemistry between the players and the coaching staff translates from Zoom calls to the physical reality of the New York City campus. Following these visits, the program is expected to finalize several commitments before the primary recruiting window closes.
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