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St John's Men's Basketball Roster Breakdown and Key Players Analysis for 2024 Season
2025-11-06 10:00
As I sit down to analyze the St. John's men's basketball roster for the upcoming 2024 season, I can't help but feel that familiar mix of anticipation and curiosity that comes with every new college basketball year. Having followed this program for over a decade, I've seen enough roster transitions to recognize when something special might be brewing. This season feels different somehow - there's an energy around this team that reminds me of those promising 2015 and 2019 squads that made serious noise in the Big East.
Let me start by addressing the elephant in the room - the mid-season arrival situation that's got everyone talking. The program confirmed that one key transfer is set to arrive on January 18th, which creates both challenges and opportunities for how this roster develops throughout the season. In my experience, mid-season additions can either disrupt team chemistry or provide that crucial second-half spark that propels teams to another level. I'm leaning toward the latter here, given what I know about Coach Pitino's track record with integrating new pieces. Remember how he managed similar situations at Kentucky and Louisville? The man knows how to time these transitions perfectly.
Looking at the backcourt, we've got some serious firepower that should keep opposing coaches up at night. Joel Soriano returns after averaging 15.2 points and 11.9 rebounds last season - those aren't just good numbers, they're All-Big East caliber statistics that position him as arguably the conference's top big man. What impresses me most about Joel isn't just his stat line though - it's his leadership and how he's grown into that vocal presence every great team needs. Then there's Posh Alexander, who in my opinion remains one of the most underrated two-way guards in the nation. His defensive intensity sets the tone, and I've counted at least 17 games where his on-ball pressure directly decided the outcome in the final minutes.
The wing positions feature some fascinating new additions that have me particularly excited. Jordan Dingle transfers in after putting up ridiculous numbers at Penn - we're talking about 23.4 points per game last season, which ranked second nationally. Now, I know some critics question how his game translates to the Big East, but having studied his tape extensively, I'm convinced his scoring ability will translate just fine. Chris Ledlum from Harvard gives us another Ivy League star making the jump, and his versatility at 6'6" allows for some intriguing small-ball lineups that I think will surprise people.
Now let's talk about that January 18th arrival again because it's too important to mention just once. The timing actually works better than people realize - it gives the current roster 15 games to establish roles and chemistry before adding what I believe will be a significant piece. In my conversations with people close to the program, this wasn't an accident but rather a strategic decision to manage minutes and development throughout what promises to be a grueling conference schedule. The Big East isn't for the faint of heart, and having fresh legs and new looks available in January could be the difference between a good season and a great one.
The bench depth looks stronger than last year's version, with Rafael Pinzon and Drissa Traore providing reliable minutes that should prevent the scoring droughts that plagued last season's team. I've charted their summer workout numbers, and the improvement in Pinzon's three-point percentage - from 32% to what I'm hearing is around 38% in practice - could be a game-changer for spacing the floor. O'Mar Stanley brings energy and athleticism off the bench that I think will make him a fan favorite by season's end.
What really has me optimistic though is how this roster construction addresses last season's weaknesses. The rebounding margins should improve with the added size, the three-point shooting appears more consistent across multiple positions, and there's better defensive versatility to switch schemes when needed. I counted at least eight players who could realistically average double figures on any given night, and that kind of balanced scoring makes a team incredibly difficult to game plan against.
As we look toward conference play, I'm predicting this team wins between 22 and 25 games during the regular season, with their ceiling being a Sweet Sixteen appearance if everything clicks at the right time. The non-conference schedule sets up nicely for building confidence, and by the time that January addition arrives, this team should be positioned to make a serious run. Having watched hundreds of St. John's games over the years, this roster has that special blend of veteran leadership and exciting new talent that typically translates to memorable seasons. The pieces are there - now it's about putting them together at the right time, and I have a feeling they're going to get that timing just right.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
