St. John's University has emerged as a hotbed for college basketball talent, particularly among players seeking a fresh start after underwhelming experiences elsewhere.
Dillon Mitchell, a high school phenom who made two transfers before finally finding his footing at St. John's, attributes the program's ability to attract top recruits to coach Rick Pitino's unorthodox approach.
During Mitchell's recruitment visit, what typically involves gushing praise about a player's strengths was replaced by an in-depth examination of their weaknesses. This refreshingly honest conversation, where coaches focus on areas for improvement rather than just highlighting existing skills, has resonated deeply with players like Mitchell.
As a result, St. John's has become the go-to destination for players looking to revitalize their careers or seek redemption from disappointing experiences elsewhere. The university's willingness to address a player's shortcomings, combined with Pitino's unique coaching style, has created an attractive environment that has proven instrumental in attracting top talent to the Big East program.
For many aspiring college basketball stars, St. John's now stands as a beacon of hope – a place where coaches will identify a player's potential and work tirelessly to unlock it, rather than just resting on their laurels.
Dillon Mitchell, a high school phenom who made two transfers before finally finding his footing at St. John's, attributes the program's ability to attract top recruits to coach Rick Pitino's unorthodox approach.
During Mitchell's recruitment visit, what typically involves gushing praise about a player's strengths was replaced by an in-depth examination of their weaknesses. This refreshingly honest conversation, where coaches focus on areas for improvement rather than just highlighting existing skills, has resonated deeply with players like Mitchell.
As a result, St. John's has become the go-to destination for players looking to revitalize their careers or seek redemption from disappointing experiences elsewhere. The university's willingness to address a player's shortcomings, combined with Pitino's unique coaching style, has created an attractive environment that has proven instrumental in attracting top talent to the Big East program.
For many aspiring college basketball stars, St. John's now stands as a beacon of hope – a place where coaches will identify a player's potential and work tirelessly to unlock it, rather than just resting on their laurels.
. All that focus on individual skills was kinda limiting, you know? It's refreshing to see them looking for players who can grow and improve, flaws and all 
. That Pitino guy must be doing something right! And I love how the players are speaking up about feeling valued and seen in their recruitment process 
. It's like, they're not just another name on a roster anymore, but a key to unlocking their full potential 
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. That refreshing approach can be super attractive to players who've been stuck in ruts elsewhere. On the other hand, I worry that this might lead to some underperforming stars getting dragged down by their own inadequacies 
... or worse, creating unrealistic expectations for themselves. Still, it's cool to see a program prioritizing player development over flashy PR 
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. And it's workin', too - St. John's has become the go-to school for players lookin' to turn their careers around. I'm thinkin' there might be more to this than just a coincidence... maybe Pitino's onto somethin' big, and we're all just startin' to catch on 
I'm so stoked about St John's Uni right now! They're like the ultimate recruiting machine 
! Coach Pitino's approach is SO unique & refreshing 
. That's so cool! It shows that they care about their players' growth & development, not just their skills 
St John's is def the new place to be for all college hoops fans 
they're doing things differently here, focusing on what the players need to improve instead of just praising them for what they already got 
it's not just about winning games, it's about helping those guys reach their full potential 
. And its awesome to see the impact it has on guys like Dillon Mitchell who were struggling elsewhere. Its a game changer for college hoops and I'm all about it 
According to NCAA data, there was a 30% increase in transfer students playing at St. John's between 2020-21 and 2022-23 seasons 
. This highlights Pitino's ability to build a strong culture that prioritizes growth over talent alone 
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. Meanwhile, their win percentage has increased by 22% since 2020-21 season, with an average of 24 wins per year 
️. With Pitino at the helm, it's clear that this approach is yielding results! 
. They're taking these vulnerable kids and making them feel like they need fixing. I mean, what's next? A "rehabilitation" program for student-athletes? 
I know Pitino's got a good track record, but have you seen the way he handles those recruits? It's like he's trying to break them down, not build them up. And what's with all this focus on "areas for improvement"? Sounds like they're just looking for ways to exploit these kids' weaknesses... 
anyway, its cool that the coach is all about finding ways to improve players instead of just hailing them for being good already... but what makes a player want to transfer schools in the first place? like, are they not happy where they are or something? 
️.