The St. John's Red Storm is one of several programs around the country that are awaiting eligibility rulings ahead of the 2026-27 men's college basketball season.
A lot is riding on the decisions in court, with nearly half of the team's projected rotation currently in limbo. International player Babacar Sane currently has a temporary restraining order that has made him eligible, for now, with a hearing set for Oct. 1.
Point guard Quinn Ellis, a multi-million-dollar international player, is still not eligible. Neither are Keyshawn Hall and Reed Bailey, two players looking for a fifth year of eligibility under the new 5-in-5 rules.
Should St. John's receive positive updates on those players, they have a potential starting five that is amongst the most talented in the country. As shared by Isaac Trotter of CBS Sports, their projected starters can go toe-to-toe with any team in the country.
St. John's has best starting five in the country upside
Right now, two returning players from their Sweet 16 team, guard Ian Jackson and big man Ruben Prey, are locked into the lineup. As is Tounde Yessoufou, a five-star transfer from the Baylor Bears, heading into his sophomore season.
That is an incredibly strong trio to build a lineup around. Jackson has drawn praise from head coach Rick Pitino for the work he has put in this offseason, believing his guard is going to be one of the best backcourt players in the country.
He should be even better in his second season under Pitino, now fully bought into the system after transferring in from the North Carolina Tar Heels after his freshman year there.
Prey looks ready to break out after a strong summer debut with the Portugal national team. In Year 3 with the Red Storm, he knows this system as well as any player on the roster.
Here we go now. pic.twitter.com/Sc7lJE5Wqa
– St. John's Men's Basketball (@StJohnsBBall) September 22, 2026
Yessoufou was a projected first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, but decided to withdraw and landed a lucrative NIL offer from the Red Storm. The tools are there for him to be a two-way force, and he is talented enough to give St. John's the Big East Player of the Year for a third season in a row.
He and Jackson are going to be a dynamic bucket-getting duo for opponents to stop.
If they have Ellis, a true lead point guard, and either Sane or Hall in the starting five along with them, this is a group that can wreak havoc on both ends of the floor. Bailey could also factor into the mix depending on matchups, but that is half the rotation and two starting players the team is patiently awaiting official word on.
Today's best reads
- Rick Pitino Heaps Praise on St. John's Basketball Star
- Why Tounde Yessoufou Will Be Big East Player of the Year for St. John's Basketball
- St. John's Basketball Upside Hinges on Eligibility Rulings
- Predicting Ian Jackson's Stats for St. John's Basketball in 2026-27
- St. John's Basketball Needs a Breakout Season From This One Player
This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/st-johns as St. John's Basketball Has One of Best Projected Starting Fives.