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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 06: Dillon Mitchell #1 and Bryce Hopkins #23 of the St. John's Red Storm looks on during the game against the Connecticut Huskies at Madison Square Garden on February 06, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This year’s NBA draft was an overwhelming success for St. John’s basketball.
Following Zuby Ejiofor’s first-round selection by the Hawks the previous night, Dillon Mitchell was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 40th overall pick, and Bryce Hopkins was acquired by the Denver Nuggets with the 49th overall pick.
These last two milestone nights marked the first time multiple St. John’s players were selected in the same draft since 2000 and the first time a trio of Johnnies was picked in the same draft since 1983 (also, the first time ever in the two-round draft era). For Rick Pitino, it marks the first time since 1996 that a triumvirate of players from one of his teams was chosen in the same year.
To put the Red Storm’s influx of drafted players into perspective, there were as many St. John’s players selected in this year’s NBA draft as in the previous twenty-five drafts. From 2001 to 2025, Omar Cook, Moe Harkless, and Sir’Dominic Pointer were the only Red Storm alumni to hear their names called on draft night.
Ejiofor, Mitchell, and Hopkins head to the NBA following their incredible 30-win season that saw the All-Big East frontcourt trio lead the Red Storm to their second straight Big East regular season and tournament titles.
Dillon Mitchell came to St. John’s following stints with Texas and Cincinnati, serving as a premium glue guy for a stacked Red Storm team. The former McDonald’s All-American posted 8.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and a career-best 3.0 assists per game on 55.9% shooting in his only season with the Johnnies.
The versatile forward from Tampa, Florida can compete in the league on day one thanks to his jaw-dropping leaping ability, electric at-the-rim scoring, and defensive versatility, which would be a benefit for a size-deprived Celtics team. If he can develop into a serviceable shooter, Mitchell could enjoy a long career in the association.
After beginning his career in Kentucky, then developing into an all-conference star and battling a series of injuries at Providence, Bryce Hopkins transferred to rivals St. John’s and maintained a clean bill of health as a Johnny. Although it took some time for the one-time Friar to find his footing in New York, he closed his final year of college basketball in flying colors. Hopkins averaged 13.6 points and 6.2 rebounds on 46.9% shooting and 36.3% from deep in 37 total games for the Red Storm, then closed the season shooting 63.5% from the field and 13-of-20 from deep in his final six contests.
The Chicago native will be one of the most experienced rookies entering the NBA this season, as he turns 24 years old in September. While his advanced age and injury history may have scared some teams into selecting him, Hopkins should bring bruising physicality and dependable rebounding to the Nuggets.
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