Trending Now - Tounde Yessoufou Chooses St. John's Over NBA Draft Pursuit
WHO:
SB Nation - Rick Pitino will turn 74 years old before the 2026-27 regular season, making him the oldest power conference coach in America.
Pro Football Network - Tounde Yessoufou, a guard, is involved in the decision to withdraw from the NBA Draft.
RealGM Basketball - Tounde Yessoufou is identified as a former McDonald's All-American.
WHAT:
SB Nation - Tounde Yessoufou will reportedly make “upwards of $7 million” playing for St. John's next season, making him one of the highest paid players in college basketball history.
SB Nation - The Florida Gators reportedly paid Thomas Haugh at least $8 million to bypass the 2026 NBA Draft for a return to college.
NY Post - Tounde Yessoufou's commitment to St. John's is described as a "major coup" for the program.
Pro Football Network - Tounde Yessoufou has withdrawn from the NBA Draft process.
RealGM Basketball - Yessoufou has committed to join the St. John's Red Storm for the upcoming season.
RealGM Basketball - Yessoufou was viewed as a potential first-round pick in the NBA Draft.
RealGM Basketball - Yessoufou averaged 17.8 points and 5.9 rebounds during his freshman year.
WHERE:
RealGM Basketball - Yessoufou will be joining St. John's, which is part of the NCAA basketball program.
WHEN:
RealGM Basketball - Yessoufou's commitment to St. John's is for the next season.
WHY:
Pro Football Network - The decision to withdraw from the NBA Draft was influenced by reactions from college basketball fans and analysts.
HOW:
SB Nation - Yessoufou averaged nearly 18 points per game as a freshman, finishing well at the rim with a 68.5 percent shooting percentage.
On3 - The NBA Draft withdrawal deadline is set for "11:59:59 p.m. ET."
RealGM Basketball - Sources reported the news of Yessoufou's withdrawal and commitment, specifically citing Shams Charania of ESPN.
(UPDATED May 29, 2026 04:19 UTC)
Rick Pitino is set to turn 74 years old before the upcoming 2026-27 regular season, making him the oldest power conference coach in America. In college basketball news, Tounde Yessoufou is expected to earn upwards of $7 million playing for St. John's next season, which would place him among the highest paid players in the sport's history, after averaging nearly 18 points per game as a freshman with an impressive 68.5 percent shooting percentage. Meanwhile, the Florida Gators reportedly offered Thomas Haugh at least $8 million to stay in college and forgo the 2026 NBA Draft.
--
(UPDATED May 28, 2026 18:00 UTC)
Tounde Yessoufou's commitment to St. John's is being hailed as a "major coup" for the program, marking a significant development in college basketball. Meanwhile, the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline is fast approaching, set for 11:59:59 p.m. ET. This deadline is crucial for players deciding whether to remain in the draft or return to college.
--
(UPDATED May 28, 2026 16:21 UTC)
Tounde Yessoufou, a former McDonald's All-American and a guard, has officially withdrawn from the NBA Draft process and will be joining the St. John's Red Storm for the upcoming season. Last season, Yessoufou averaged 17.8 points and 5.9 rebounds and was considered a potential first-round pick in the draft. His decision to step back from the NBA was influenced by feedback from college basketball fans and analysts, with the news being reported by sources including Shams Charania of ESPN.