In a stunning late-night development that has reshaped the college basketball landscape, former Baylor standout Tounde Yessoufou has withdrawn from the 2026 NBA Draft and committed to Rick Pitino and the St. John’s Red Storm .
The news, first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania shortly after the midnight withdrawal deadline on Wednesday, May 27, marks one of the biggest transfer portal victories of the offseason .
A Reversal of Fortune
The decision represents a dramatic pivot for the highly touted freshman. Just two weeks ago at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, Yessoufou was adamant about his professional intentions.
“To be honest, I’ve never thought about that one because I’m not planning on returning [to college],” Yessoufou told reporters when asked about a potential comeback, adding, “Again, my main focus is just the draft” .
However, as the withdrawal deadline approached, draft projections remained uncertain. While some analysts mocked him as a late first-round selection, others slotted him as an early second-round pick. ESPN had him projected 34th overall to the Sacramento Kings, while CBS Sports and The Athletic kept him at the end of the first round . In a loaded 2026 class featuring projected top picks like AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer, Yessoufou’s camp ultimately decided another year of development was the wiser path .
The Numbers Behind the Star
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound native of Benin was nothing short of spectacular during his lone season in Waco. Starting all 34 games for the Bears, Yessoufou averaged 17.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 1.6 assists per game .
His production broke several Baylor freshman records, including most points scored in a season (605) and most field goals made (226) . His efforts earned him an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention nod.
Yessoufou arrived at Baylor as a consensus five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American, ranked as the 14th-best prospect in the class of 2025 according to 247Sports Composite . His physical, athletic style of play drew early comparisons to Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards .
Why St. John’s? The Pitino Factor
While UCLA had gained early buzz as a potential landing spot due to Yessoufou’s California roots, Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino executed a stealthy recruitment to bring the explosive wing to Queens .
The fit is natural. Pitino’s famed “gold standard” full-court pressure defense and uptempo offensive system are tailor-made for Yessoufou’s athleticism. At the NBA Draft Combine, he showcased that elite athleticism, recording the eighth-highest no-step vertical and finishing fifth in the shuttle run .
“Tounde Yessoufou is a Big East Player of the Year candidate. And he’s tailor-made for Rick Pitino,” CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jon Rothstein said. “A big, strong physical wing with toughness… this looks like a Top 10-15 team on paper” .
For St. John’s, which won the Big East and advanced to the Sweet 16 this past season, this is a program-defining addition.
Building a Big East Juggernaut
Yessoufou is expected to step into an immediate starting role, forming a terrifyingly physical perimeter alongside returning guard Ian Jackson and EuroLeague point guard Quinn Ellis . The roster also features Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman and returning forward Ruben Prey.
With Yessoufou now in the fold, St. John’s is widely expected to pivot away from other transfer targets, such as Iowa State sharpshooter Milan Momcilovic, as Pitino turns his focus to integrating his new star .
For Baylor, the news is a double blow. Head coach Scott Drew not only lost his star freshman to the NBA draft, but saw him land with a non-conference powerhouse instead. Drew has since reshaped the Bears’ roster with transfers including Kayden Mingo and Brett Decker .
What’s Next
Yessoufou will look to improve his perimeter consistency after shooting 29.3% from three-point range last season . If he refines that under Pitino’s tutelage, he is projected as a potential lottery pick in the 2027 NBA Draft.
For now, the Red Storm have cemented their status as the team to beat in the Big East and a legitimate threat to cut down the nets in San Antonio next spring.
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