The defensive wing appeared to be a lock for the Sooners, but Rick Pitino and his staff swooped in at the last minute
Business has picked up in Queens.
Yesterday, St. John’s landed USC center Vince Iwuchukwu to break a 35-day commitment drought. Today, they managed to rip away North Texas transfer Aaron Scott from a potential commitment to Oklahoma.
NEWS: North Texas transfer forward Aaron Scott has committed to Rick Pitino and St. John’s, he tells @On3sports.
The 6-7 junior averaged 11 points and 5.6 rebounds per game this season. Also visited Oklahoma and Memphis. https://t.co/D1EN1cwuib pic.twitter.com/Ru8SItFbeY
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 24, 2024
The 6-foot-7 junior guard from Spring, Texas joins fellow Lone Star State natives Vince Iwuchukwu and Zuby Ejiofor on the 2024-25 roster. Scott projects as a formidable defensive stretch four capable of matching up with the opposing team’s best scorer.
Oklahoma and Memphis were also contenders to land Scott, but it was very likely that Scott would be a Sooner until last night. According to sources, Rick Pitino and his staff made a “hail mary” attempt to change Scott’s mind on Tuesday night, enough to sway him to Queens. Associate head coach coach Steve Masiello was credited for helping land Scott, according to Zach Braziller.
Starting in all 34 games for the Mean Green in the 2023-24 season, Scott averaged 11.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 1.1 steals in 30.2 minutes per game while shooting 44.7% from two, 37.0% from three, and 78.9% from the free-throw line.
Rick Pitino got a close look at Scott last November when St. John’s faced North Texas in the first round of the Charleston Classic, as Scott scored a team-high 13 points (5-of-12 FG) while registering 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in a 53-52 Red Storm win.
St. John’s men’s basketball now has three scholarships available for the 2024-25 season.