NCAA Grants Quinn Ellis Eligibility, Boosting St. John's Basketball

St. John's basketball coach Rick Pitino expressed relief and confidence Tuesday after the NCAA granted point guard Quinn Ellis eligibility for the upcoming season. The decision came shortly after a court appearance in Queens where Pitino supported Keyshawn Hall, a transfer player involved in a lawsuit against the NCAA.

Hall, an Auburn transfer, had a temporary restraining order upheld, pending a decision on his preliminary injunction. While this marked a minor victory for Hall, the NCAA's ruling on Ellis represented a more significant win for St. John's.

Ellis, a 23-year-old guard from Sheffield, England, who has played in Europe, has been granted one year of eligibility. He was a sought-after recruit, drawing interest from Duke, BYU, Louisville, Houston, and Kentucky. St. John's secured his commitment on April 14 but awaited the NCAA's official eligibility determination.

The NCAA issued updated eligibility guidance in May, which introduced additional scrutiny for international players and reinforced rules concerning compensation beyond “actual and necessary expenses” from overseas professional teams. This guidance likely contributed to the extended review process for Ellis.

Ellis is expected to provide St. John's with an elite playmaker, a role the team lacked last season. He joins returning guard Ian Jackson and Baylor transfer Tounde Yessoufou to form a potentially formidable perimeter trio. According to a European scout who works with NBA teams, Ellis's up-tempo style and court vision could translate well to St. John's system. The scout noted his pace, unselfishness, and effectiveness in the open court.

The scout further commented on Ellis's potential at the college level, stating, "I think at the college level he can be a top two guy at a high major, and he can be effective every night." While shooting was identified as a potential weakness, it was noted that he showed improvement last season and is not hesitant to take shots, even under pressure.

Last season, Ellis played for Olimpia Milano in Italy's Lega Basket Serie A, where he averaged 7.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. In his first EuroLeague season, he posted 8.2 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game, shooting 37.7 percent from three-point range. His accolades in 2025 included LBA Best Young Player, Italian Cup MVP, and Italian Supercup MVP.

Pitino described Ellis as an "unusual" player for today's game, emphasizing his ability to perform under pressure. "He’s a legit 6-foot-4, he’s lightning fast, he’s a great athlete and a great basketball player," Pitino said. He highlighted Ellis's exceptional playmaking skills, noting his ability to find open teammates that others might miss.

Pitino compared Ellis to former St. John's guards Kadary Richmond and Daniss Jenkins, suggesting that Ellis possesses a similar impact potential, even with a different playing style. "All three of those guys were great point guards," Pitino stated.