Rick Pitino lands another European prospect with tantalizing potential
Rick Pitino continues to mine for international prospects, and his latest overseas recruit could leave an impact as a long-range shooter.
Austrian forward Imran Suljanovic announced his commitment to St. John’s on Tuesday afternoon, becoming the first freshman to join the Johnnies for the 2025-26 season and the Red Storm’s third European player alongside Lefteris Liotopoulos and Ruben Prey.
Another new Johnnie ✍️
Welcome to Queens, Imran!⚡️
️: https://t.co/O247ppPvQp pic.twitter.com/PCneNC70uJ
— St. John’s Men’s Basketball (@StJohnsBBall) April 22, 2025
Listed at 6-foot-8 and 200 pounds, Suljanovic scored 22.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 45.7% from the field and 39.0% from three on 8.6 attempts per game, leading Austria to a silver medal finish in the 2024 FIBA Under-18 EuroBasket B Division. The Austrian international currently plays for Pallacanestro Reggiana in Lega Basket Serie A (LBA), the first division of Italian basketball.
This February, Suljanovic made his senior international debut for Austria in a 2027 FIBA World Cup European Pre-Qualifying match versus Albania, scoring a team-high 11 points to go along with three rebounds and three assists.
Pitino expressed his excitement about Suljanovic’s potential on Twitter/X shortly after his newest addition announced his commitment.
Was watching Imran on film and had to see him in person. Traveled outside Bologna where he impressed me more with his overall game than what I watched on film. Shoots, passes, handles, and is extremely agile. Great potential!!! Very excited to have him join the Johnnies.
— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) April 22, 2025
St. John’s now has ten scholarship players on their 2025-26 roster after Suljanovic’s commitment. The Red Storm have made five additions this offseason, including Joson Sanon from Arizona State, Bryce Hopkins from Providence, Oziyah Sellers from Stanford, and Ian Jackson from North Carolina.