St. John's University Athletics
St. John’s Basketball Takes Part in BIG EAST Media Day
10/21/2025 4:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
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Red Storm men’s and women’s teams meet the press at The World’s Most Famous Arena
NEW YORK – The St. John's men's and women's basketball teams took center stage at BIG EAST Media Day on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden, as journalists and media personalities from around the country flocked to Midtown Manhattan ahead of the 2025-26 season's official start.
A staple on the league's annual calendar, BIG EAST Media Day also features the release of the conference's preseason coaches' poll and all-conference teams.
Under the direction of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Coach Rick Pitino, the fifth-ranked St. John's men's basketball team was picked to repeat as regular season champions in a vote of the league's coaches. It marked the first time since 1991-92 that St. John's finished atop the preseason coaches' poll. The Red Storm, which claimed seven out of a possible 10 first-place votes, saw five of its players earn Preseason All-BIG EAST recognition, a total that is believed to be a conference record.
Senior forward Zuby Ejiofor took home BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year honors, becoming the first Johnnie to garner the recognition since Shamorie Ponds ahead of the 2018-19 season. The league's coaches also selected Bryce Hopkins to the Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team, Ian Jackson to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Second Team, and Dillon Mitchell and Joson Sanon to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Third Team.
"The league is going to be much better. Its going be exciting in non-conference and BIG EAST play," Pitino said. "I think come March we can be a dynamite basketball team."
Returning three of its top five scorers from a season ago, the St. John's women's basketball team was predicted to place sixth in the preseason coaches' poll, finishing just five voting points behind Creighton in fifth. Reigning national champion Connecticut was unanimously picked to finish atop the league standings.
"For our players, trying to stay successful is a big part because they're aware of what they want." Tartamella said to the media. "We have players that have been a part of winning. They've been a part of the positive, but they've been a part of struggles at times, too, which is great. They understand me probably better than anybody."
Entering its 14th season under the direction of Head Coach Joe Tartamella, the Red Storm women's basketball program brought seniors Skye Owen, Jailah Donald and Kylie Lavelle as its representatives to media day. Ejiofor and senior guard Oziyah Sellers represented the men's team.
A staple on the league's annual calendar, BIG EAST Media Day also features the release of the conference's preseason coaches' poll and all-conference teams.
Under the direction of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Coach Rick Pitino, the fifth-ranked St. John's men's basketball team was picked to repeat as regular season champions in a vote of the league's coaches. It marked the first time since 1991-92 that St. John's finished atop the preseason coaches' poll. The Red Storm, which claimed seven out of a possible 10 first-place votes, saw five of its players earn Preseason All-BIG EAST recognition, a total that is believed to be a conference record.
Senior forward Zuby Ejiofor took home BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year honors, becoming the first Johnnie to garner the recognition since Shamorie Ponds ahead of the 2018-19 season. The league's coaches also selected Bryce Hopkins to the Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team, Ian Jackson to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Second Team, and Dillon Mitchell and Joson Sanon to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Third Team.
"The league is going to be much better. Its going be exciting in non-conference and BIG EAST play," Pitino said. "I think come March we can be a dynamite basketball team."
Returning three of its top five scorers from a season ago, the St. John's women's basketball team was predicted to place sixth in the preseason coaches' poll, finishing just five voting points behind Creighton in fifth. Reigning national champion Connecticut was unanimously picked to finish atop the league standings.
"For our players, trying to stay successful is a big part because they're aware of what they want." Tartamella said to the media. "We have players that have been a part of winning. They've been a part of the positive, but they've been a part of struggles at times, too, which is great. They understand me probably better than anybody."
Entering its 14th season under the direction of Head Coach Joe Tartamella, the Red Storm women's basketball program brought seniors Skye Owen, Jailah Donald and Kylie Lavelle as its representatives to media day. Ejiofor and senior guard Oziyah Sellers represented the men's team.
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Forward/ Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
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