Rick Pitino moved quickly and pulled off a coup for his first addition in the transfer portal. On Monday night, Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman announced his commitment to play for St. John’s.

Rated as a five-star high school recruit in the class of 2024, the 6-foot-9 forward from The Bahamas averaged 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists on 48.4% shooting and 31.1% from three in two seasons with the Orange. 247Sports currently ranks Freeman as the 15th-best transfer in the 2026 class.

The Red Storm’s pursuit of the standout Syracuse forward was sudden and decisive. Freeman was considered a lock to land at Kentucky as recently as Monday morning, completing a visit with the Wildcats and canceling a visit with Big East rivals UConn, but St. John’s reportedly placed the highest offer and hijacked the deal without Freeman ever stepping on campus.

“I believe in what Rick Pitino is doing. He is a high-level coach, and I believe he can get me to the next point in my career,” Freeman told 247Sports’ Sydney Cuillier regarding his decision.

Freeman factors as a versatile combo forward who is capable of scoring at all three levels and still carries tons of defensive upside. The biggest concern surrounding Freeman is his health, as he’s only played in 37 of Syracuse’s 65 total games over the last two seasons, missing time with multiple lower-leg injuries. If he can stay on the court, Freeman can realize his NBA draft potential with the Red Storm.

With Freeman’s commitment, St. John’s now has seven scholarship players on their 2026-27 roster. The Red Storm are also searching for their next starting center, targeting Moustapha Thiam from Cincinnati and Mor Massamba Diop from Arizona State, with the intention of signing one or the other.