The roster volatility at St. John’s continues as Kelvin Odih becomes the latest St. John’s men’s basketball player to enter the transfer portal, further thinning a returning group that is already struggling to maintain its numbers. The departure of the freshman forward leaves head coach Rick Pitino with a significant rebuilding task, as the program now faces a near-total overhaul of its depth chart ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Odih arrived at St. John’s with high expectations, having been a highly touted four-star recruit. His path to the Red Storm was unconventional; he was originally committed to West Virginia, but he re-opened his recruitment following the departure of Darian DeVries from the Mountaineers. In a recruiting cycle defined by veteran transfers, Odih stood out as Pitino’s only high school signing for the 2025-26 campaign, representing a rare investment in long-term developmental talent.
Despite the physical tools and defensive versatility that made him an attractive prospect, Odih’s freshman year was defined more by the training room than the hardwood. A series of ill-timed injuries prevented him from carving out a consistent role in the rotation, limiting his impact to sporadic appearances and leaving his ceiling largely untested in a competitive game environment.
A Freshman Year Marred by Injuries
The trajectory of Odih’s debut season was disrupted early. During an August practice open to the media, he appeared to be playing at a standout level before a sprained ankle midway through the second half of a scrimmage forced him out of the action. The setback was a precursor to a frustrating autumn; in October, a pectoral injury sidelined him again and later in the season, he dealt with persistent soreness in his right leg.
These health hurdles limited Odih to just ten contests. When he was on the floor, he logged an average of 5.6 minutes per game, contributing 1.5 points, and 1.9 rebounds while shooting 46.7% from the field. His most promising glimpse of potential came in his collegiate debut against Quinnipiac, where he recorded a season-high five points and five rebounds in only nine minutes of play.
| Category | Stat/Detail |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 10 |
| Average Minutes | 5.6 |
| Points Per Game | 1.5 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 1.9 |
| Field Goal Percentage | 46.7% |
The Shrinking Red Storm Core
Odih’s decision to enter the portal underscores a broader trend of attrition within the program. St. John’s is now down to just four players returning for the 2026-27 season. For those tracking the roster’s stability, the numbers are stark: only shooting guard Ian Jackson and forward Ruben Prey are returning players who featured in the lineup on a nightly basis.
This level of turnover places the program in a precarious position, necessitating the filling of eleven roster spots to reach a full complement of players. While such a vacuum of talent is challenging, it also provides Pitino with a rare opportunity to essentially build a team from scratch, tailoring the roster to his specific tactical preferences without the constraints of legacy contracts or mismatched personnel.
The Recruiting Blitz: Filling the Void
To combat the exodus, the coaching staff has pivoted aggressively toward the recruiting trail and the transfer market. The recent signing of Quinn Ellis is viewed by the program as the catalyst for what they hope will be a productive week of additions. The Red Storm are currently casting a wide net, targeting high-upside talent from across the country to stabilize the frontcourt and wing positions.
Campus activity has already intensified, with several high-profile transfers making visits this week. Among those who have toured the facilities are Mouhamed Dioubate from Kentucky, Abdi Bashir from Kansas State, DeSean Goode from Robert Morris, and Leroy Blyden from Toledo.
The recruitment effort is not limited to those already on campus. Pitino and his staff are actively coordinating further visits to bring in additional talent to shore up the rotation.
The list of prospective additions includes Kendyl Sanders from Utah, Mor Massamba Diop from Arizona State, and Najai Hines from Seton Hall. The pursuit of Hines is particularly noteworthy given the local rivalry with Seton Hall, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the Red Storm’s roster construction.
What This Means for the Program
The loss of a player like Odih—who possessed the physical profile Pitino covets—is a blow to the program’s developmental pipeline. However, the shift toward seasoned transfers like those from NCAA Division I programs suggests a preference for “plug-and-play” athletes who can withstand the rigors of a demanding system immediately.
The immediate priority for St. John’s is no longer just about adding talent, but about establishing a new culture of continuity. With only two primary rotation players returning, the chemistry of the 2026-27 squad will depend entirely on how quickly these new arrivals can integrate into Pitino’s disciplined approach to the game.
The program will now focus on finalizing the remaining eleven roster spots, with the results of this week’s recruiting visits serving as the primary indicator of how the Red Storm will look when they return to the court. Official announcements regarding the commitment of the visiting transfers are expected as the portal window continues to evolve.
We wish to hear from you. How should St. John’s approach this total roster rebuild? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
