Deivon Smith joins St. John's through the transfer portal
Deivon Smith averaged 13.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists for Utah last season. Credit: AP
St. John’s made a major addition to its 2024-25 backcourt on Monday by gaining the commitment of Utah transfer Deivon Smith, who led the Pac-12 in triple-doubles and assists last season. He was considered one of the top guards in the NCAA transfer portal.
Smith, a fifth-year senior, visited the Queens campus last week. He also was considering Arkansas, Louisville, Washington and West Virginia.
Last season — his first with the Utes — the 6-footer averaged 13.3 points, 7.1 assists and 6.3 rebounds and shot 40% on three-point attempts. Smith also had five triple-doubles, tying him with Western Carolina's Vonterius Woolbright for the NCAA lead.
“Super excited to have Deivon Smith joining the Johnnies,” St. John’s coach Rick Pitino said in an announcement Monday afternoon by the school. “He reminds me of Terry Rozier. Total dog who rebounds, creates and scores.”
Pitino, going into his second season — and first full recruiting year — with the Red Storm, has emphasized the importance of rebounding from the guard position.
The transition to a new program could be smooth for Smith as St. John’s is his fourth college program. The Georgia product spent one season at Southern Mississippi and two at the University of Georgia prior to his transfer to Utah.
St. John’s was looking to replace the contributions of Daniss Jenkins. The arrival of Smith, along with the development of Simeon Wilcher, should address that need.
Smith is the third player St. John’s has landed out of the portal. He joins North Texas transfer Aaron Scott and Southern Cal transfer Vince Iwuchukwu. They are joining a returning core of Wilcher, RJ Luis Jr., Zuby Ejiofor and Brady Dunlap.
The Storm has at least two more spots to fill on the roster for next season. They are involved with Seton Hall’s Kadary Richmond, among others. Richmond was an All-Big East first-team selection for the Pirates and helped them win the NIT championship.
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
