Patience was required in Rick Pitino’s first two offseasons. 

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The big splashes took time. 

It wasn’t until the first week of May last spring that difference-making guards Kadary Richmond and Deivon Smith came aboard. The previous spring, St. John’s landed Jordan Dingle and Chris Ledlum in May and July of 2023, respectively. 

Year No. 3 has been very different. The first eight days of the transfer portal have seen the Johnnies add two of their top targets: Arizona State wing Joson Sanon and Providence forward Bryce Hopkins. Nobody else in the Big East has picked up even one player as highly regarded.