Coach Rick Pitino and St. John’s Basketball have been very active this offseason, securing several high-profile transfers despite the loss of Big East Player of the Year RJ Luis. The Red Storm has added forwards Bryce Hopkins (Providence) and Dillon Mitchell (Cincy), along with guards Oziyah Sellers (Stanford), Ian Jackson (UNC), Joson Sanon (ASU), and Dylan Darling (Idaho State). With Zuby Ejifor returning, they have a strong rotation core for the 2025-26 season. However, open roster spots and depth issues still needed addressing.

In the past 48 hours, St. John’s has added Handje Tamba and Kelvin Odih, who are expected to strengthen the team's defense. Tamba, a 6’11 center, began his career at Tennessee, then moved to Weber State and Milligan. He was named Conference Defensive Player of the Year last season and will be Zuby Ejiofor's backup. The team needed a backup since Vincent Iwuchukwu entered the transfer portal.

Kelvin Odih, a 6’5 wing prospect and a four-star player in the 2025 recruiting class, had initially committed to West Virginia before leaving due to a coaching change. He is a physical defender who aligns with Coach Pitino’s defensive strategy. Over time, he could become a good scorer.

While Tamba and Odih may not be major headline-grabbers, they should solidify St. John’s roster, potentially making them a top-10 team next season. Questions remain, however, regarding Hopkins's health and the point guard position, with Kadary Richmond and Deivon Smith needing to be replaced.