In one of the biggest late-night twists of the college basketball offseason, highly coveted Baylor transfer Tounde Yessoufou officially withdrew his name from the 2026 NBA Draft and committed to St. John’s Red Storm, delivering a massive recruiting victory for legendary head coach Rick Pitino.
The decision came just before the midnight withdrawal deadline, ending weeks of speculation surrounding Yessoufou’s future. The talented wing had been simultaneously exploring professional opportunities while also testing the transfer portal, though his “do-not-contact” designation hinted that only a select group of programs would seriously factor into his decision if he returned to college basketball.
Many around the basketball world believed Yessoufou was destined to stay in the NBA Draft after an impressive freshman campaign at Baylor and consistent projections placing him as a potential first-round pick. Instead, the explosive scorer stunned many analysts by opting for another season in college — and choosing St. John’s as the destination to continue his development.
The commitment represents a major recruiting coup for Pitino, who continues to rapidly transform St. John’s into one of the nation’s premier programs. Reports initially connected UCLA as the favorite to land the California native if he withdrew from the draft, but Pitino ultimately swooped in late to secure one of the most talented players in the transfer portal and a projected 2027 NBA lottery candidate.
Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 215 pounds, Yessoufou entered college basketball as a five-star recruit in the 2025 class and was once heavily pursued by programs such as Kentucky Wildcats before ultimately landing at Baylor. During his lone season with the Bears, he emerged as one of the most dynamic young scorers in the country, averaging 17.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Though his three-point shooting percentage of 29.3% still leaves room for growth, his physicality, athleticism, and shot-creation ability made him one of the most feared offensive players in the transfer portal.
Despite his immense talent, Yessoufou largely flew under the radar in recent weeks because most observers assumed he would remain in the NBA Draft. While college basketball fans focused heavily on Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic and other portal stars, Yessoufou quietly became one of the most impactful available players on the market.
Now, his addition instantly elevates expectations for St. John’s entering the 2026-27 season. With Pitino assembling a loaded roster filled with experience, athleticism, and high-end scoring talent, the Red Storm are increasingly being viewed as a legitimate top-10 team and a serious national championship contender heading into next year.
The ripple effects of Yessoufou’s decision could also impact several other powerhouse programs, especially Kentucky. Momcilovic has already withdrawn from the NBA Draft but has yet to announce where he’ll play next season. However, with St. John’s now landing Yessoufou, many believe the Red Storm are likely out of the running for Momcilovic, potentially opening the door wider for Kentucky and other suitors still pursuing the talented Iowa State forward.
For Pitino and St. John’s, though, the message is clear: the Red Storm are no longer simply rebuilding — they are aggressively positioning themselves as one of the biggest threats in college basketball.
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