Last week’s bombshell federal order granting high school class of 2022 athletes a fifth season of eligibility is already producing widespread ripple effects through college basketball. Hundreds of graduating seniors are doing an about-face and returning to the college level for one more year, including former St. John’s guard Oziyah Sellers, who entered the transfer portal on Saturday. Another Red Storm senior could join him soon.
Dillon Mitchell, the former St. John’s forward and Boston Celtics rookie, could return to the program this upcoming season, according to Adam Zagoria. The Red Storm are also reportedly interested in Auburn forward and All-SEC selection Keyshawn Hall, another senior eyeing a fifth season in college basketball.
Mitchell was selected with the 40th overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics and stood out in the NBA Summer League, averaging 13.0 points and 5.0 rebounds on solid shooting efficiency in three games. Yet, he remains unsigned by the team, meaning he is still eligible to return to college basketball if he can’t agree to terms with the Celtics.
His pathway to a possible comeback is clear after forward Gildas Gimenez was reportedly deemed academically ineligible, opening up a spot on the 15-man roster if Mitchell opts to go back to college.
The ultra-athletic 6-foot-8 forward transferred to St. John’s following stops at Texas and Cincinnati, quickly forming a three-headed monster with fellow All-Big East honorees Zuby Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins. Last season, Mitchell averaged 8.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists on 55.9% shooting for the Red Storm and also earned a spot on the Big East All-Defense team after posting 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks per game for a KenPom top-15 defensive unit.
St. John’s planned to have Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman replace Mitchell at the power forward position, but Freeman’s season-ending Achilles injury created a hole in the Red Storm’s frontcourt. Serendipitously, Mitchell could slide back into his role and form a post tandem with the returning Ruben Prey.