St. John's University Athletics
Men's Basketball
O'Connell, Thomas

Thomas O'Connell
- Title:
- Graduate Assistant
- Phone:
- 6225
An instant fan favorite originally as a walk-on graduate student before earning a scholarship from Head Coach Mike Anderson in 2019-20, Thomas O’Connell returned to the Red Storm as a graduate assistant for the 2020-21 season.
During Anderson’s first year at the helm of the Johnnies, O’Connell saw action in nine games as a reserve. With O’Connell providing veteran leadership, the Red Storm won three of its final four outings to finish 17-15 on the campaign.
Prior to arriving in Queens, O’Connell played four years of lacrosse at the University of Maryland, a highly successful career that was highlighted by a national championship in 2017. He appeared in all 35 of the Terps’ games over his final two years and was named a team captain as a senior. A three-time Academic All-Big 10 selection, O’Connell also competed with the Puerto Rican National Team at the 2018 World Lacrosse Championships in Israel.
A local product from Mineola, N.Y., O’Connell was a star three-sport athlete at Chaminade High School, earning NSCHSAA all-league honors in both basketball and lacrosse. O’Connell was the 82nd ranked player in the high school class of 2015 according to Inside Lacrosse magazine.
O’Connell has deep St. John’s roots in his family. Both of his parents, Tim and Tara, are double alumni of the University, holding both bachelors and masters degrees from St. John’s. His mother, Tara, was a standout on the softball diamond, earning a pair of All-BIG EAST selections.
O’Connell’s younger brother, Michael, is a freshman guard at Stanford. Like his brother, Michael was also an All-American lacrosse player in high school before ultimately choosing to pursue basketball.
During Anderson’s first year at the helm of the Johnnies, O’Connell saw action in nine games as a reserve. With O’Connell providing veteran leadership, the Red Storm won three of its final four outings to finish 17-15 on the campaign.
Prior to arriving in Queens, O’Connell played four years of lacrosse at the University of Maryland, a highly successful career that was highlighted by a national championship in 2017. He appeared in all 35 of the Terps’ games over his final two years and was named a team captain as a senior. A three-time Academic All-Big 10 selection, O’Connell also competed with the Puerto Rican National Team at the 2018 World Lacrosse Championships in Israel.
A local product from Mineola, N.Y., O’Connell was a star three-sport athlete at Chaminade High School, earning NSCHSAA all-league honors in both basketball and lacrosse. O’Connell was the 82nd ranked player in the high school class of 2015 according to Inside Lacrosse magazine.
O’Connell has deep St. John’s roots in his family. Both of his parents, Tim and Tara, are double alumni of the University, holding both bachelors and masters degrees from St. John’s. His mother, Tara, was a standout on the softball diamond, earning a pair of All-BIG EAST selections.
O’Connell’s younger brother, Michael, is a freshman guard at Stanford. Like his brother, Michael was also an All-American lacrosse player in high school before ultimately choosing to pursue basketball.