St. John’s coach Rick Pitino has now added four Iona transfers to his new team at St. John’s.
The Red Storm on Tuesday announced the addition of Iona transfer Sadiku Ibine Ayo, who joins former teammates Cruz Davis, Quinn Slazinski and Daniss Jenkins.
“Sadiku Ibine Ayo can play multiple positions, he’s an outstanding athlete, and he’s one of the finest young men I have met in my 40-plus years in coaching,” said Pitino. “He is a hard worker who brings it every day with a great attitude. We are so excited to have him.”
Overall, St. John’s has now added eight transfers, most recently former UMass guard R.J. Luis on Sunday, along with incoming freshman wing Brady Dunlap.
This weekend they will host 6-9 Kansas transfer Zuby Ejiofor. They are also out of the running for five-star wing Mackenzie Mgbako of Roselle Catholic, who cut his list to Kansas and Indiana, and Niagara transfer Noah Thomasson, who committed to Georgia.
Ibine Ayo comes to St. John’s after spending his freshman season at Iona. A member of the 2023 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship team, the 6-foot-6 wing averaged 2.6 points shooting 38.5 percent from the field to go with 1.5 rebounds in 25 appearances as a rookie last season with the Gaels.
The rising sophomore played a key role in the Gaels run to the 2023 MAAC Tournament title. Ibine Ayo shined in Iona’s semifinal victory over Niagara on March 10, scoring eight points in just over 11 minutes of action. He drained a clutch 3-pointer with 5:42 remaining in the second half that put the Gaels up by eight, marking the first time in the contest one team led by more than two possessions. Ibine Ayo also scored five points to help Iona get past Marist in the championship game.
Originally from Asabi-Kumasi, Ghana, Ibine Ayo moved to the Bronx and starred at Our Saviour Lutheran. The newest Johnnie was rated as the sixth-best player in New York City coming out of high school, according to 247Sports.
Ibine Ayo also played for New Heights Lightning on the AAU circuit and Nike Elite Youth Basketball League. He saw success during the 2021 EYBL season, averaging 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in 12 outings. That season, Ibine Ayo posted six double-digit scoring performances with the Lightning, adding a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double against Drive Nation (TX).
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