The No. 1 priority for St. John’s this offseason was rebuilding its backcourt, and it landed a key piece in the endeavor on Monday morning.
Utah point guard Deivon Smith, one of the top lead guards in the transfer portal, verbally committed to Rick Pitino and the Johnnies after taking an official visit late last week.
The 6-foot Smith was second in the country in triple-doubles a year ago with four, a major difference-maker that will help replace departed star Daniss Jenkins.
Smith averaged 13.3 points, 7.1 assists and 6.3 rebounds last season, and shot a career-best 40 percent from 3-point range.
St. John’s could end up pairing him with Seton Hall star Kadary Richmond, whom it is still chasing.
Richmond has taken visits to St. John’s and Oklahoma.
Smith’s addition leaves the Johnnies with two open scholarships left.
It has also added transfers Vince Iwuchukwu (USC) and Aaron Scott (North Texas) and returns the young core of Simeon Wilcher, Brady Dunlap, RJ Luis and Zuby Ejiofor.