Baylor standout Tounde Yessoufou has officially withdrawn from the 2026 NBA Draft and committed to the St. John’s Red Storm men’s basketball program to play for head coach Rick Pitino, according to his agency, THE TEAM, via reports from Shams Charania and ESPN.
Yessoufou was widely regarded as a potential first-round selection in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft. By opting to withdraw his name from professional consideration, the versatile forward will instead move to the Big East to continue his development under the tutelage of Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino. The decision marks a significant shift in the 2026 draft landscape and provides a massive talent injection for the Red Storm roster.
During his tenure at Baylor, Yessoufou showcased the physical tools and scoring ability that caught the attention of NBA scouts. His move to St. John's is expected to bolster the program's standing in a competitive conference as Pitino continues to recruit high-level prospects to Queens. Yessoufou is expected to be a focal point of the Red Storm's rotation for the upcoming season as he looks to improve his draft stock for the future.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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