When Joson Sanon committed to St. John's on March 26, 2025, the Red Storm weren’t just landing a player. They were landing an opportunity, a proven shooter with fresh momentum, national recruiting acclaim, and the size of a wing who can change spacing dynamics in the Big East.

Sanon’s freshman season at Arizona State produced solid numbers (11.9 points per game, ~36.9% from three-point range) and flashes of what could become dominant. He started 9 of 27 games, hit a season-high 28 in a high-pressure road game, and finished strong in his final stretch of the season. Those results, combined with his five-star recruiting label, proved he wasn’t just a future project; he might be a present contributor.

At St. John’s, under coach Rick Pitino, the fit couldn’t be more appropriate. The Red Storm needed movement, shooting, and young energy after losing key pieces this offseason. Sanon provides all of that, a guard who can spot up, relocate, and score off rhythm, relieving pressure on ball-handlers and giving defenses fits. Pitino himself praised Sanon’s shot and athleticism as “absolutely outstanding potential.

The expectations are real. Big East play demands more than spot-up shooting. Sanon will need to expand his game: making reads, defending high-level wings, and showing consistency. The question isn’t “can he shoot?” — it’s “can he shoot, defend, and evolve into a reliable two-way contributor?” If the answer is yes, St. John’s gets a steal in the portal. If it’s no, the ceiling is still high, but the margin for error shrinks.

Sanon arrives in Queens with credentials, confidence, and undeniable potential. The spotlight is brighter, the competition tougher, but so are the resources, the system, and the opportunity. If he embraces the challenge, St. John’s could see instant impact. And Sanon could affirm that his freshman success was only the beginning.

Written by Paul Garwood

Photo Credit:
St. John’s Athletics / Arizona State Athletics