Boubacar Diakite leaving St. John’s

Despite not playing a game for St. John’s, redshirted freshman Boubacar Diakite is transferring from the program.

A native Malian like fellow forward Kassoum Yakwe (who also transferred from the program this offseason, to Connecticut), Diakite came to St. John’s from Our Savior New American High School on Long Island. An athletic forward, Diakite is a 6’8” wing who also played AAU ball for the PSA Cardinals and in the FIBA U18 African Championships with Mali as a starter.

Diakite suffered a serious knee injury last spring and was said to still be recovering; on social media, he has looked to be able to run, practice and dunk. Diakite enrolled early at St. John’s to work on his game and his rehabilitation, but fans will not be able to see just what upside intrigued Chris Mullin and the Red Storm staff to bring him in.

Known to be raw, Diakite will likely transfer to a school where he can see more minutes earlier in his career. All offseason, rumor has been that he would see very limited playing time next season.

St. John’s now has a scholarship open for next season; expect the Johnnies to look for a grad transfer to fill in at a forward position. Currently, the Red Storm only have Sedee Keita and freshman Josh Roberts at taller than 6’7” on the incoming roster.

So far, after this active offseason, the Red Storm have seen Yakwe, Diakite and Tariq Owens transfer.

The program has also brought in sit-out transfers David Caraher and Eli Wright (who will not be eligible to play next season), freshmen Josh Roberts, Greg Williams, Jr., and Marcellus Earlington, JUCO sophomore LJ Figueroa and will get to see Sedee Keita and guard Mikey Dixon on the floor for the first time.

St. John’s roster: by year

Senior/ 2019 Grad: Marvin Clark II

Junior/ 2020 Grad: Shamorie Ponds, Justin Simon

Sophomore/ 2021 Grad: Sedee Keita, Mikey Dixon, Bryan Trimble Jr., LJ Figueroa

Freshman/ 2022 Grad: Greg Williams Jr., Josh Roberts, Marcellus Earlington

Sitting out: David Caraher (sophomore in 2019-20, 2022 grad), Eli Wright (junior in 2019-20, 2021 grad)

Open scholarships: 1

St. John’s roster: by position

Point Guards: Shamorie Ponds, Justin Simon, Mikey Dixon

Shooting guards: LJ Figueroa, Greg Williams Jr., Bryan Trimble Jr.

Wing forwards: Marvin Clark II | [David Caraher, Eli Wright sitting out]

Big forwards: Sedee Keita, Josh Roberts, Marcellus Earlington