Andre Curbelo latest St. John’s player to enter transfer portal after Rick Pitino hire
Andre Curbelo has joined the growing list of St. John’s players to enter the transfer portal since the dismissal of Mike Anderson and hiring of Rick Pitino.
The talented but enigmatic point guard made the announcement on Thursday afternoon, becoming the seventh player to announce his intentions to leave.
Curbelo, suspended twice during the season by Anderson for disciplinary reasons, clashed with the former St. John’s coach and failed to reach expectations on the court after transferring in from Illinois.
Curbelo, who played his high school basketball for Long Island Lutheran, averaged 9.6 points per game and 4.3 assists per game last year in 26 games played.
“Over the last two years I have had a lot of ups and downs,” Curbelo posted in a statement on Twitter. “I would like to take accountability for my shortcomings as I continue this journey to getting back to myself with the support of my family and a commitment to hard work.”
On Wednesday, juniors Posh Alexander and Dylan Addae-Wusu entered the portal.
Of the seven to enter the portal, two players – Alexander and freshman AJ Storr – were offered the opportunity to return.
The last domino that could fall is junior wing David Jones, although a final decision has yet to be made.
In the Twitter post, Curbelo wrote that he believes the program is in good hands with Pitino and thanked the fan base, coaching staff and athletic director Mike Cragg for their support.
“Thank you to the St. John’s fan base for all the love during my time here,” Curbelo’s statement continued.
The departures are not a surprise.
At his introductory press conference, Pitino said he did not receive glowing reports on many of the remaining players and expected to bring in up to as many as eight new faces.
He may need even more now.
One of the St. John’s transfers found a new home on Thursday; sophomore guard Rafael Pinzon committed to Bryant, a source told The Post.
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