The St. John's Red Storm received incredible news just a day before their first preseason game against the Drexel Dragons was set to tip off at Carnesecca Arena.
International point guard Quinn Ellis was cleared and eligible to play for the team this season. That is massive for the Red Storm because he is projected to be their starting point guard and play a major role for the team on the court.
St. John's made him an offer he couldn't refuse, as reports indicate that Ellis will be paid somewhere in the range of $4.5 million to play college basketball this season. In Europe with Olimpia Milano, he was reportedly earning less than $200,000 per season.
Now officially cleared to play, head coach Rick Pitino isn't shying away from sharing just how good of a player he believes his newest point guard is. In his opinion, Ellis is on par with two of the best point guards he has had during his time with the Red Storm: Kadary Richmond and Daniss Jenkins.
Pressure is on Quinn Ellis to live up to expectations
Rick Pitino said Ellis is on same level at Pg as the two best ones he's had at St. John's: Kadary Richmond and Daniss Jenkins. #sjubb
– Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) October 13, 2026
Pitino believes that Ellis is on the same level as those two players, which is incredibly high praise. Both of those players were incredibly accomplished by the time they joined St. John's.
Richmond was a star in the Big East, beginning his career with the Syracuse Orange before spending three seasons with the Seton Hall Pirates and completing his collegiate tenure with the Red Storm. He was a member of the All-Big East First Team in 2023-24 before landing in Queens.
Jenkins began his career with the Pacific Tigers for two seasons before transferring to Odessa (TX) College, a JUCO. He was there for one season before Pitino recruited him to the Iona Gaels for the 2022-23 campaign.
I have newly-cleared St. John's point guard Quinn Ellis as a top-20 player in college basketball. Does a good job of taking the singles in pick-and-rolls. High-feel, 6-4 guard won't lead St. John's in scoring, but I think he'll be Rick Pitino's MVP.
Sneaky-good athlete, too. pic.twitter.com/7TFPUs7RiF
– Isaac Trotter (@Isaac__Trotter) October 13, 2026
Jenkins followed Pitino to St. John's for the 2023-24 season, and he blossomed in two seasons under his tutelage. In 68 games, Jenkins averaged 15.3 points, 5.2 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 32.2 minutes per game and is now carving out a role in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons.
If Ellis can produce at the same level those two players did, the Red Storm backcourt is in great hands. He has an impressive resume, helping Olimpia Milano to the Serie A title last season and being named the MVP.
Ellis has the upside to be the best floor general in the country as someone who presents some matchup problems, measuring 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds at point guard. He has more than held his own in EuroLeague and Serie A competition, along with representing Great Britain on the senior national team.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/st-johns as Quinn Ellis Could Be Best St. John's Basketball Guard Under Rick Pitino.