Mitchell’s 111 Assist Season Helps St. John’s Land Freeman Transfer

Mitchell played his only season with the Red Storm as a starting guard and finished with 111 assists, the most by any St. John’s player in that span. His ability to find teammates made him a trusted voice in the locker room during the offseason. When Freeman’s recruitment appeared to favor Kentucky, Mitchell sent a text praising Coach Rick Pitino’s system and the program’s culture. The message arrived as Freeman was weighing his options and contributed to his decision to commit to St. John’s. Mitchell later told reporters he believes Freeman will thrive under Pitino’s pace‑and‑space approach. Freeman entered the transfer portal after two seasons at Syracuse, where he battled injuries but still produced solid numbers.

- Mitchell recorded 111 assists during his sole season with St. John’s basketball. - Donnie Freeman is the highest‑profile transfer commit for St. John’s this offseason. - In his most recent season at Syracuse, Freeman averaged 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists per game and shot 47.4% from the field.

Freeman’s 6‑foot‑9 frame and shooting ability allow him to play both small forward and power forward, giving St. John’s flexibility in lineups. His addition joins recent guards Quinn Ellis and wings Babacar Sane and Djordije Jovanovic, creating a deeper perimeter rotation. The Red Storm still lack an impact center, a position Pitino has historically relied on for interior defense and rebounding. If St. John’s can add a true post player, the team could match the size of recent national contenders such as Michigan. Freeman’s versatility also fits Pitino’s offense, which emphasizes quick ball movement, three‑point shooting and frequent transitions. Watch for how Freeman performs in summer workouts and whether the program lands a center before the season starts.