Kadary Richmond moves from Seton Hall to St. John’s. John’s

Former Seton Hall guard Kadare Richmond, the No. 1 player in the transfer portal, has committed to St. John’s and coach Rick Pitino, he told ESPN on Tuesday.

“They were big on life after basketball and player development,” Richmond said. “That caught my attention, the way they kept it real from day one. They’re going to allow me to showcase my abilities and become a better basketball player and person. I’d like to go the distance in the NCAA tournament and eventually win the national championship, and I’m ready to get to work and find out “What’s in store for Coach Pitino?”

Richmond visited Oklahoma over the weekend and said he was also considering Syracuse, Miami and USC, but the Brooklyn native’s opportunity to stay close to home and play with Pitino was too much to pass up.

“See what [Knicks star] “What Jalen Brunson is doing for New York City right now, winning in New York is big. I want to be a part of that,” Richmond said.

Richmond, a 6-foot-6 point guard, immediately moved into first place in ESPN’s transfer rankings when he entered the portal in late April. He earned first-team All-Big East honors after averaging 15.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists and leading Seton Hall to the NIT championship. He had more than 20 points nine times in Big East play, including a triple-double against Creighton, when he finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. In three games against Pitino and St. John’s this past season, Richmond averaged 14.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists.

Richmond was outstanding in the postseason, posting 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists in the NIT title game against Indiana State. He averaged 13.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists in five NIT games.

After spending one season in Syracuse in 2020-21, Richmond transferred to Seton Hall. He started 85 games over three years, but his true breakout campaign didn’t come until last season. Richmond showed flashes of that level of production over the course of the 2022-23 season with the Buccaneers, averaging 12.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists in his last eight healthy games before suffering a back injury.

“I will always appreciate the coaching staff at Seton Hall for giving me the freedom to put myself in that position,” Richmond said. “I wish them the best.”

Richmond is the second significant addition to St. John’s Gate in as many days, following Utah transfer commit Devon Smith on Monday. Smith, a 6-foot point guard, averaged 13.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists last season, ranking sixth nationally in the latter category. He also shot nearly 41% from 3-point range.

The backcourt of Richmond and Smith should be among the best in the country, combining two elite playmakers who can score in contrasting ways. It could be Pitino’s best guard duo since Peyton Civa and Ross Smith led Louisville to the national championship in 2013.

“I like the additions we put together,” Richmond said. “Deivon Smith is also about winning and making successful plays. RJ Luis is someone I’ve played against, he’s a competitor. Same with Vincent Iwuchukwu. The pieces fit together. I like the vision that’s been put together.”

Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a proprietary scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams.