Sadiku Ibine Ayo enters transfer portal after three years with St. John’s basketball program
A program staple in the Rick Pitino era is moving on
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 08: Sadiku Ibine Ayo #2 of the St. John's Red Storm looks on during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Madison Square Garden on November 08, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images Over the past four years, Sadiku Ibine Ayo has been a fixture on Rick Pitino’s teams, playing under the Hall of Fame coach for one season at Iona and the last three campaigns at St.
John’s. Now, he will be moving on from Pitino for the first time in his college career. Days after the Red Storm’s season ended, the transformation of next year’s roster has started.
Ayo will formally enter the transfer portal when it opens on April 7. The news was first reported by Pete Nakos of On3 . According to Zach Braziller of the New York Post, a reunion between the two parties is still a possibility.
Ayo is reportedly “very close” to Pitino, and the head coach wants him to explore his options. Although Ayo was a minor on-court contributor at St. John’s, he was a respected leader in the locker room and served as a co-captain alongside Zuby Ejiofor for the last two seasons.