St. John’s men’s basketball makes first addition of the offseason by signing star European guard Quinn Ellis

Quinn Ellis plays during the match between FC Barcelona and EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, corresponding to round 7 of the Euroleague, at the Palau Blaugrana, in Barcelona, Spain, on October 28, 2025. (Photo by Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images

The Red Storm made a huge splash with their first signing of the offseason, bringing in one of the top point guards from Europe.

Quinn Ellis is coming stateside and has committed to St. John’s on Tuesday afternoon. The news was first reported by The New York Post’s Zach Braziller. Other schools that showed interest in Ellis were Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, BYU, and Houston.

A combo guard from Sheffield, England, Ellis brings a wealth of professional experience to the Johnnies, having spent the last seven years competing in Italy. Ellis most recently played for top-flight club Olimpia Milano, helping them win the last two Italian Cups and earning Italian Cup MVP honors in 2025. He broke out in his debut EuroLeague season this year, averaging 8.4 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.8 rebounds in 35 games, while shooting 49.3% from the field and 37.7% from three against the best competition Europe has to offer.

Ellis played his best basketball for his home country, averaging 11.8 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game in eight appearances representing Great Britain. During this year’s 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers, Ellis posted 17.5 points, 7.0 assists, and 2.5 rebounds on 50% shooting over two games.

Prior to joining Olimpia Milano, Ellis also played in three contests for the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2024 NBA Summer League.

The jumbo-sized floor general brings nimble ball-handling and great floor vision to a Red Storm team that struggled with playmaking at the guard position last season. Standing at 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, Ellis has the frame to withstand contact and the athleticism that fits in well with Rick Pitino’s defensive identity. Adding Ellis allows Ian Jackson to move back to his natural position as a two-guard and moves Dylan Darling to the bench to become one of the best backup point guards in the country.

After Ellis’s commitment, St. John’s has eight scholarship players on their roster for the 2026-27 season. The Red Storm are hosting transfers Mouhamed Dioubate from Kentucky, Abdi Bashir from Kansas State, Leroy Blyden from Toledo, and DeSean Goode from Robert Morris on campus visits this week.