St. John's University Athletics
St. John’s Inks MVC Sixth Player of the Year Sanaa Tripp
4/23/2026 9:45:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Belmont transfer joins the Red Storm for the 2026-27 campaign
QUEENS, N.Y. – The St. John's Women's Basketball team has announced the addition of Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Sixth Player of the Year, Sanaa Tripp (pronounced suh-NAH) from Belmont, for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign.
"Sanaa is the type of player who brings instant energy and impact every time she steps on the floor," said Head Coach Joe Tartamella. "Her ability to score, defend, and make plays on both ends of the floor at a high-level fits the identity of our team."
The incoming transfer arrives in Queens following a breakout sophomore season in which she appeared in all 32 games, making eight starts. The Covington, Ga., native posted 7.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 assists per game, emerging as the league's most impactful players off the bench.
The guard reached double figures 11 times, including a career-high 25-point outing against Northern Iowa on Jan. 11. In that game, she shot an efficient 9-for-11 from the field, 5-for-6 from three-point range, and a perfect 2-for-2 from the free-throw line while adding four rebounds, five assists, and a steal. She also recorded her first career double-double with 10 points and a career-high 15 rebounds against Valparaiso on Feb. 15.
Defensively, Tripp proved to be a disruptive force, recording three or more steals in five games, including a career-high five against Lipscomb. She also showed consistency on the glass, grabbing at least three rebounds in 15 contests, highlighted by a seven-game stretch of strong rebounding play.
As a freshman in 2024-25, she made an immediate impact, appearing in all 39 games averaging 14.5 minutes per contest. She scored in double figures four times and played a key role in the Bruins run to the WBIT Championship game. The rookie reached double-figures twice during the postseason, including a season-high 13 points in the title game against Minnesota. Tripp finished the year logging 3.4 points, 2.1 points and 1.1 assists per contest.
Prior to her collegiate career, Tripp established herself as one of Georgia's top high school players, earning 2021 Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Class 7A Freshman of the Year honors at Newton High School, later adding Second Team All-State and All-Region 4-7A First Team recognition while leading the Lady Rams to a Class 7A quarterfinal appearance. The Covington, Ga. native spent her junior year at Peachtree Ridge High School, where she surpassed 1,000 career points and helped the team win the 2022 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic Championship. She garnered Preseason Class 7A All-State accolades and closed out her time there with All-Region 7-7A First Team honors. Tripp returned to Newton for her senior season to average 13 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.8 steals, and 2.7 assists per game en route to GHSA Class 7A South All-State Team selection and All-State Honorable Mention recognition.
She also competed on the Under Armour Association (UAA) circuit with Supreme Team, helping lead the program to the UAA Finals.
Tripp joins five returners from this year's squad and a trio of incoming freshmen- Serenity Lancaster, Syvannah Dawson and Yohanna Fami on the Johnnies' 2026-27 roster.
"Sanaa is the type of player who brings instant energy and impact every time she steps on the floor," said Head Coach Joe Tartamella. "Her ability to score, defend, and make plays on both ends of the floor at a high-level fits the identity of our team."
The incoming transfer arrives in Queens following a breakout sophomore season in which she appeared in all 32 games, making eight starts. The Covington, Ga., native posted 7.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 assists per game, emerging as the league's most impactful players off the bench.
The guard reached double figures 11 times, including a career-high 25-point outing against Northern Iowa on Jan. 11. In that game, she shot an efficient 9-for-11 from the field, 5-for-6 from three-point range, and a perfect 2-for-2 from the free-throw line while adding four rebounds, five assists, and a steal. She also recorded her first career double-double with 10 points and a career-high 15 rebounds against Valparaiso on Feb. 15.
Defensively, Tripp proved to be a disruptive force, recording three or more steals in five games, including a career-high five against Lipscomb. She also showed consistency on the glass, grabbing at least three rebounds in 15 contests, highlighted by a seven-game stretch of strong rebounding play.
As a freshman in 2024-25, she made an immediate impact, appearing in all 39 games averaging 14.5 minutes per contest. She scored in double figures four times and played a key role in the Bruins run to the WBIT Championship game. The rookie reached double-figures twice during the postseason, including a season-high 13 points in the title game against Minnesota. Tripp finished the year logging 3.4 points, 2.1 points and 1.1 assists per contest.
Prior to her collegiate career, Tripp established herself as one of Georgia's top high school players, earning 2021 Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Class 7A Freshman of the Year honors at Newton High School, later adding Second Team All-State and All-Region 4-7A First Team recognition while leading the Lady Rams to a Class 7A quarterfinal appearance. The Covington, Ga. native spent her junior year at Peachtree Ridge High School, where she surpassed 1,000 career points and helped the team win the 2022 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic Championship. She garnered Preseason Class 7A All-State accolades and closed out her time there with All-Region 7-7A First Team honors. Tripp returned to Newton for her senior season to average 13 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.8 steals, and 2.7 assists per game en route to GHSA Class 7A South All-State Team selection and All-State Honorable Mention recognition.
She also competed on the Under Armour Association (UAA) circuit with Supreme Team, helping lead the program to the UAA Finals.
Tripp joins five returners from this year's squad and a trio of incoming freshmen- Serenity Lancaster, Syvannah Dawson and Yohanna Fami on the Johnnies' 2026-27 roster.
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