St. John's University Athletics
St. John’s Signs Center Theo Edema
5/18/2026 1:51:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Top-50 high school prospect set to arrive in Queens for 2026-27 season
QUEENS, N.Y.– The St. John's men's basketball program has signed top-50 high school prospect Theo Edema, it was announced on Monday by Head Coach Rick Pitino.
"We're pleased to welcome Theo Edema, who just signed with us yesterday," Head Coach Rick Pitino said in a press conference. "He will be reclassifying to join us and he reminds me a lot of [former Iona and New Mexico forward] Nelly Junior Joseph in terms of his potential. We look forward to seeing him grow the right way and we're very excited about him."
Edema, a 6-foot-11 center originally from Nigeria, is a consensus four-star prospect in the class of 2027 and will reclassify to join the Red Storm next season with four years of eligibility remaining.
The 240-pound center has risen up recruiting boards in recent months and is currently the no. 41 ranked prospect in the class of 2027 according to 247Sports Composite. Edema was the top-rated junior in the state of Massachusetts and the no. 7 center in the class.
Edema played three seasons of high school basketball at Cushing Academy, a prep powerhouse located in Ashburnham, Mass. He led the Penguins to a 2026 a New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class AA Championship and a 29-6 overall record. Cushing went 17-0 in the New England Basketball League and went onto to the National Prep Championship Semifinals. The 18-year-old was named an All-NEPSAC Team honoree following the 2025-26 campaign.
In 2024-25 as a sophomore, Edema guided the Penguins to a 26-6 overall mark and an NEBL title as a sophomore while earning an All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention selection. Edema becomes the second Cushing Academy alumnus to join the Red Storm during the Pitino Era, joining Sean Conway, who played one season in Queens in 2023-24.
Edema, who came to the United States at the age of 14, was also a member of the track & field team at Cushing Academy.
This past November, Edema was one of 40 players from across the world to compete in the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Global Camp. On the grassroots circuit, Edema plays for Team New England.
Edema joins a talented group of eight newcomers and five returners, including Ian Jackson and Ruben Prey. The Johnnies are coming off their first Sweet 16 appearance in 27 years and won the outright BIG EAST Regular Season Championship and tournament title for the second straight season. Place a deposit for season tickets by clicking here or support the Red Storm Legacy Investment Fund.
"We're pleased to welcome Theo Edema, who just signed with us yesterday," Head Coach Rick Pitino said in a press conference. "He will be reclassifying to join us and he reminds me a lot of [former Iona and New Mexico forward] Nelly Junior Joseph in terms of his potential. We look forward to seeing him grow the right way and we're very excited about him."
Edema, a 6-foot-11 center originally from Nigeria, is a consensus four-star prospect in the class of 2027 and will reclassify to join the Red Storm next season with four years of eligibility remaining.
The 240-pound center has risen up recruiting boards in recent months and is currently the no. 41 ranked prospect in the class of 2027 according to 247Sports Composite. Edema was the top-rated junior in the state of Massachusetts and the no. 7 center in the class.
Edema played three seasons of high school basketball at Cushing Academy, a prep powerhouse located in Ashburnham, Mass. He led the Penguins to a 2026 a New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class AA Championship and a 29-6 overall record. Cushing went 17-0 in the New England Basketball League and went onto to the National Prep Championship Semifinals. The 18-year-old was named an All-NEPSAC Team honoree following the 2025-26 campaign.
In 2024-25 as a sophomore, Edema guided the Penguins to a 26-6 overall mark and an NEBL title as a sophomore while earning an All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention selection. Edema becomes the second Cushing Academy alumnus to join the Red Storm during the Pitino Era, joining Sean Conway, who played one season in Queens in 2023-24.
Edema, who came to the United States at the age of 14, was also a member of the track & field team at Cushing Academy.
This past November, Edema was one of 40 players from across the world to compete in the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Global Camp. On the grassroots circuit, Edema plays for Team New England.
Edema joins a talented group of eight newcomers and five returners, including Ian Jackson and Ruben Prey. The Johnnies are coming off their first Sweet 16 appearance in 27 years and won the outright BIG EAST Regular Season Championship and tournament title for the second straight season. Place a deposit for season tickets by clicking here or support the Red Storm Legacy Investment Fund.
Players Mentioned
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