St. John's University Athletics
2025-26 Men's Basketball Roster
St. John's Madison Square Garden Scrimmage Media Availability 10.8.25
Wednesday, October 08
Open Practice Press Conference 8.5.2025
Tuesday, August 05
St. John's Basketball Adidas Launch Media Availability7.16.25
Wednesday, July 16
Coach Pitino Press Conference Yankee Stadium 6.4.2025
Wednesday, June 04
Jersey Number 44
Handje Tamba
- Height:
- 6-11
- Weight:
- 240
- Class:
- Graduate Student
- Position:
- Center
- Hometown:
- Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- High School:
- Knoxville Catholic (Tenn.)
- Prev School:
- Milligan / Weber State / Tennessee
Arrives in Queens after stops at Milligan (2024-25), Weber State (2022-24) and Tennessee (2021-22)… appeared in 56 games over two seasons at Weber State… redshirted the 2021-22 campaign in Knoxville.
2024-25 (Milligan)
Appalachian Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and first team all-conference selection… played in all 32 games and made 30 starts for a Buffs team that went 22-10 and reached the first round of the NAIA Men’s Basketball Championship… averaged 10.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game… carried a 4.0 GPA… scored in double figures 16 times with nine double-doubles… posted 16 points and 14 rebounds at Kentucky Christian (Nov. 27)… scored a season-high 22 points and grabbed 10 boards against Johnson (Jan. 4)… closed the season with 16 points and 10 caroms in the opening round of the NAIA Men’s Basketball Championship at Cumberlands (March 14).
2023-24 (Weber State)
Played in 25 games, averaging 1.8 points and 1.5 rebounds per contest… shot 55.2% from the field.
2022-23 (Weber State)
Appeared in 31 games and made three starts… averaged 1.6 points and 1.6 rebounds per outing… shot 62.5% from the floor and 75.0% from the free throw line.
2021-22 (Tennessee)
A redshirt season… did not see game action.
Before College
Moved to the United States in 2017 before attending Knoxville Catholic High School in Knoxville, Tenn… reclassified after graduating high school in three years… averaged 10.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in his final campaign… earned Division II-AA All-State honors as a junior after helping his team to a Division II-AA State Championship as a sophomore… played for BMaze Elite on the grassroots circuit.
Personal
Tamba Mukendi Handje … son of Brett and Jennifer Patterson … has three siblings: Presley, Mack and Ansley Patterson … his adoptive brother Presley was a guard for three years at Auburn before playing his final season at Rice … is fluent in three languages: French, Lingala and English … lasting advice from his mom: never forget where you came from … chose St. John’s for the opportunity to play with great teammates and be coached by a great coaching staff … major is communication.
2024-25 (Milligan)
Appalachian Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and first team all-conference selection… played in all 32 games and made 30 starts for a Buffs team that went 22-10 and reached the first round of the NAIA Men’s Basketball Championship… averaged 10.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game… carried a 4.0 GPA… scored in double figures 16 times with nine double-doubles… posted 16 points and 14 rebounds at Kentucky Christian (Nov. 27)… scored a season-high 22 points and grabbed 10 boards against Johnson (Jan. 4)… closed the season with 16 points and 10 caroms in the opening round of the NAIA Men’s Basketball Championship at Cumberlands (March 14).
2023-24 (Weber State)
Played in 25 games, averaging 1.8 points and 1.5 rebounds per contest… shot 55.2% from the field.
2022-23 (Weber State)
Appeared in 31 games and made three starts… averaged 1.6 points and 1.6 rebounds per outing… shot 62.5% from the floor and 75.0% from the free throw line.
2021-22 (Tennessee)
A redshirt season… did not see game action.
Before College
Moved to the United States in 2017 before attending Knoxville Catholic High School in Knoxville, Tenn… reclassified after graduating high school in three years… averaged 10.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in his final campaign… earned Division II-AA All-State honors as a junior after helping his team to a Division II-AA State Championship as a sophomore… played for BMaze Elite on the grassroots circuit.
Personal
Tamba Mukendi Handje … son of Brett and Jennifer Patterson … has three siblings: Presley, Mack and Ansley Patterson … his adoptive brother Presley was a guard for three years at Auburn before playing his final season at Rice … is fluent in three languages: French, Lingala and English … lasting advice from his mom: never forget where you came from … chose St. John’s for the opportunity to play with great teammates and be coached by a great coaching staff … major is communication.