St. John's University Athletics
St. John’s Signs Tounde Yessoufou
5/28/2026 1:34:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Fourth-ranked transfer commits to the Red Storm
QUEENS, N.Y. – St. John's Men's Basketball Head Coach Rick Pitino has announced the addition of five-star transfer Tounde Yessoufou, one of the nation's most sought-after talents, to the Red Storm's roster for the 2026-27 season.
"We have just about finished a roster with the signing of a special young man in Tounde Yessoufou," said Pitino. "His work ethic is like Zuby [Ejiofor's] and his humility reminds me of Sadiku [Ibine Ayo]. He's a special talent and we're excited to have him in a Johnnies uniform."
Yessoufou, pronounced (TOON-day YESS-oh-foo) a 6-foot-5 wing who averaged 17.8 points per game as a freshman at Baylor last season, is the fourth-ranked transfer in the country according to 247Sports. He is the second top-15 transfer to join the Red Storm's 2026 class alongside Donnie Freeman, who is currently ranked 15th nationally according to both 247Sports and ESPN.
An honorable mention All-Big 12 selection, Yessoufou set the Baylor single-season freshman scoring record with 605 points and ranked 10th nationally among freshmen in scoring average. In 34 appearances, all of which were starts, he reached double figures 32 times, finishing with nine points in the other two games. He scored 20 or more points 12 times, highlighted by a season-high 37 points in a shootout against BYU on Feb. 10 during which AJ Dybansta posted 36. On the season, Yessoufou shot 46.5% from the field, 29.3% from 3-point range, and converted on 74.6% of his tries from the charity stripe.
In addition to his scoring prowess, Yessoufou also ranked second on the Bears in rebounding (5.9 rpg) and led the team in steals (2.0 spg). His 67 thefts were the second most ever by a Baylor freshman behind VJ Edgecombe's 68 in 2024-25 and his 1.97 swipes per contest ranked 41st nationally overall, third among freshmen.
A native of Cotonou, Benin, who played his prep basketball at St. Joseph High School in Santa Maria, Calif., Yessoufou was a McDonald's All-American and a consensus five-star recruit in the class of 2025. Yessoufou, who also competed in the Jordan Brand Classic, was the ninth rated prospect in his class according to ESPN and the 14th ranked recruit according to 247Sports.
Season ticket deposits for the 2026-27 campaign are now being accepted. St. John's supporters can aid the Red Storm's revenue sharing efforts with a contribution to the Red Storm Legacy Investment Fund.
"We have just about finished a roster with the signing of a special young man in Tounde Yessoufou," said Pitino. "His work ethic is like Zuby [Ejiofor's] and his humility reminds me of Sadiku [Ibine Ayo]. He's a special talent and we're excited to have him in a Johnnies uniform."
Yessoufou, pronounced (TOON-day YESS-oh-foo) a 6-foot-5 wing who averaged 17.8 points per game as a freshman at Baylor last season, is the fourth-ranked transfer in the country according to 247Sports. He is the second top-15 transfer to join the Red Storm's 2026 class alongside Donnie Freeman, who is currently ranked 15th nationally according to both 247Sports and ESPN.
An honorable mention All-Big 12 selection, Yessoufou set the Baylor single-season freshman scoring record with 605 points and ranked 10th nationally among freshmen in scoring average. In 34 appearances, all of which were starts, he reached double figures 32 times, finishing with nine points in the other two games. He scored 20 or more points 12 times, highlighted by a season-high 37 points in a shootout against BYU on Feb. 10 during which AJ Dybansta posted 36. On the season, Yessoufou shot 46.5% from the field, 29.3% from 3-point range, and converted on 74.6% of his tries from the charity stripe.
In addition to his scoring prowess, Yessoufou also ranked second on the Bears in rebounding (5.9 rpg) and led the team in steals (2.0 spg). His 67 thefts were the second most ever by a Baylor freshman behind VJ Edgecombe's 68 in 2024-25 and his 1.97 swipes per contest ranked 41st nationally overall, third among freshmen.
A native of Cotonou, Benin, who played his prep basketball at St. Joseph High School in Santa Maria, Calif., Yessoufou was a McDonald's All-American and a consensus five-star recruit in the class of 2025. Yessoufou, who also competed in the Jordan Brand Classic, was the ninth rated prospect in his class according to ESPN and the 14th ranked recruit according to 247Sports.
Season ticket deposits for the 2026-27 campaign are now being accepted. St. John's supporters can aid the Red Storm's revenue sharing efforts with a contribution to the Red Storm Legacy Investment Fund.
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