Rick Pitino hits the ground running on building program at St. John’s

By ADAM ZAGORIA

On his first full day on the job at St. John’s, Rick Pitino hit the ground running as he aims to rebuild the Red Storm program.

Pitino and his staff targeted a mix of current St. John’s players, transfers and high-profile recruits.

**Pitino and assistant Steve Masiello were at Archbishop Stepinac in White Plains for a 3:45 practice to watch Class of 2024 point guard Boogie Fland and Class of 2025 point guard Danny Carbuccia

“Coach Pitino and Masiello expressed to Boogie, Coach Swain and myself how much he is a priority to them,” Stepinac coach Pat Massaroni said by text. “In addition to Boogie, getting kids from the tri-state, specifically New York, that fit into playing for Coach Pitino.

“Coach made a clear message to Boogie that he is the main priority after assembling the team for next year – the 2024 class.”

Ranked the No. 2 combo guard in 2024, Fland holds offers from a slew of high-majors including Kentucky, North Carolina,, Alabama, Auburn, UConn and Florida. He visited North Carolina in October.

**St. John’s will also be at Cardinal Hayes next week, the school that features Class of 2024 shooting guard and North Carolina commit Ian Jackson and Class of 2024 big man Stephen Solano. Hayes is the alma mater of former Kentucky star Jamal Mashburn, who played for Pitino at Kentucky.

Rick Pitino and the @StJohnsBBall staff are expected next week at @CardinalHayes, which features Class of 2024 5-star guard and UNC commit Ian Jackson

Hayes is the alma mater of former @KentuckyMBB star Jamal Mashburn pic.twitter.com/tdrRdpYElk

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) March 23, 2023

Jackson has verbally committed to North Carolina, but hasn’t signed yet because he’s a junior.

**St. John’s assistant Van Macon visited Class of 2023 commit Brandon Gardner on Wednesday at school. Pitino and Masiello are also expected next week.

“There’s no question in my mind that these guys are going to get this done,” CTK head coach Joe Arbitello said by phone. “That staff and Rick Pitino, 100 percent.”

**The Johnnies offered Carter Bryant, the No. 4 overall prospect in the 2024 class. Bryant had recently announced he was down to Arizona and Louisville.

Carter Bryant, the No. 4 overall prospect in the 2024 class, picked up an offer from Rick Pitino and @StJohnsBBall , per his Instagram

Photo: 247 pic.twitter.com/jg91DadWC9

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) March 22, 2023

**St. John’s also offered Dink Pate, the 4-star shooting guard from Lancaster (TX) who is also being courted by Arkansas, Auburn, Alabama, Memphis, Georgetown, and TCU, among others.

#AGTG
✔OFFERED
✔️St. John’s University #RedStorm | @StJohnsBBall @RealPitino @rickyjohns06 #POTWS #WestDallas pic.twitter.com/EhgA2A5usZ

— “DINK” Pate (@IAMTHESHOOTER1) March 23, 2023

**After only bringing St. John’s big man Joel Soriano to his press conference on Tuesday, Pitino also asked freshman shooting guard AJ Storr to remain next season, per Roger Rubin of Newsday.

Meantime, sophomore guard Rafael Pinzon entered the portal.

"A lot of these players probably won't be back on this team because they're probably not a good fit for me"

Rick Pitino on the future of St. John's: pic.twitter.com/GeNt0W5ADl

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 21, 2023

**St. John’s will also be active in the portal, and transferring Iona guard Walter Clayton Jr. is among those considering the Red Storm. Clayton averaged 16.8 points and 3.2 assists this season for the Gaels, who won the MAAC regular-season and tournament titles.

Walter Clayton tells me St. John’s, Florida, Kansas and Ole Miss have reached out so far https://t.co/WYSTcpjphk

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) March 22, 2023

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