In a significant boost to their backcourt, St. John's University has landed a verbal commitment from Seton Hall's standout guard, Kadary Richmond. The 6-foot-6 Brooklyn native, who was an All-Big East first team selection, brings a dynamic presence to St. John's roster for the upcoming season.

Richmond's commitment to St. John's comes shortly after the university secured the talented transfer guard Deivon Smith from Utah. With Richmond, Smith, and rising sophomore Simeon Wilcher, St. John's boasts one of the most formidable backcourts on paper in the entire country.

Expressing his excitement about the team's potential, Richmond stated, "We all do things differently, we all have different styles I would say. As long as we can get it to mesh early, it can be something big for us."

Richmond, who visited St. John's twice since entering the transfer portal on April 26, chose the school over other suitors such as Illinois, Syracuse, and West Virginia. The opportunity to play under the guidance of esteemed coach Rick Pitino, known for his expertise in developing guards, was a major factor in Richmond's decision.

St. John's also impressed Richmond with their vision and the caliber of players already on the team, as well as those incoming. The website EvanMiya.com even ranks Richmond as the top player to switch schools this offseason, applauding his overall impact on the game based on box stats and advanced metrics.

The decision to leave conference rival Seton Hall for St. John's highlights the ever-changing landscape of college basketball. Richmond acknowledged that while not everyone may be happy with his choice, he hopes they understand the importance of making decisions that align with personal goals and aspirations.

The combination of Richmond and Smith promises to be intriguing, as both players are accustomed to having the ball in their hands. However, Pitino has a history of successfully managing two ball-dominant guards in his coaching career, notably during his time at Louisville with Russ Smith and Peyton Siva.

Richmond, who averaged career-bests of 15.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 2.2 steals, and shot 44.1 percent from the field last season, looks to improve his three-point shooting under Pitino's guidance. With a shooting percentage of only 27 percent from beyond the arc, Richmond acknowledges the room for growth in that aspect of his game.

As Richmond joins St. John's, he aims to replicate the success he had at Seton Hall, where he led the team to a surprising fourth-place finish in the Big East and a victory in the NIT championship. With his demonstrated all-around skills and Pitino's renowned player development abilities, expectations are high for Richmond's impact on the Red Storm's performance.

Fans of St. John's and college basketball enthusiasts will be eagerly anticipating the season to witness the synergy between Richmond, Smith, and the rest of the St. John's roster.

The addition of Kadary Richmond further solidifies St. John's as a formidable force to be reckoned with in the upcoming season, raising expectations and excitement for the Red Storm community.