College basketball rankings: This time St. John's lands elite PG, jumps up in way-too-early Top 25 And 1
TL;DR
St. John's secured a commitment from elite point guard Quinn Ellis, boosting their prospects for the upcoming season. Ellis, a 23-year-old from England, has professional experience and accolades, including being named Lega Basket Serie A's Best Young Player in 2025.
CBS Sports graphic
The failure to enroll an elite point guard in advance of last season was the biggest reason St. John's struggled early relative to expectations, even coach Rick Pitino acknowledged in December. On Tuesday, the Red Storm did something that suggests that mistake won't be repeated when they secured a commitment from Quinn Ellis, a point guard from England who has been playing professionally in some form since 2019.
Age: 23. Height: 6-foot-5.
Ellis is experienced and in possession of great positional size. He was named Lega Basket Serie A's Best Young Player in 2025, the same year he was also the Italian Cup MVP. With Olimpia Milano, Ellis has won back-to-back Italian Cup titles and will now spend next season trying to help St. John's win back-to-back Big East championships thanks to the loosening of eligibility rules that have sprinkled Europeans throughout college basketball, most famously at Illinois, which advanced to the 2026 Final Four with a roster featuring six Europeans, four of whom were among the Illini's top six scorers.
Anyway ...
Shortly after Ellis committed to St. John's, Dylan Darling announced he's entering the transfer portal following one season with the Red Storm in which he started 15 games at point guard. Those two developments are obviously related. And, I think, it's a net-positive for St. John's, which is now up to No. 13 in Version 6 of the 2026-27 CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 college basketball rankings, where Michigan remains No. 1 based on a projection that the Wolverines will return three of their top five scorers -- Morez Johnson Jr., Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney -- from a team that won the 2026 NCAA Tournament and finished 37-3. That core should combine with a recruiting class highlighted by Tennessee transfer J.P. Estrella, five-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. and four-star freshmen Quinn Costello and Lincoln Cosby to create a team capable of winning consecutive national championships.
Are we sure Johnson is returning to Michigan? Or that Aday Mara is definitely leaving? No, not yet. Neither potential first-round pick has publicly announced their intentions -- but the projection here is that Mara leaves and Johnson stays. If either does the opposite, the Top 25 And 1 will adjust accordingly. But, for now, that's the roster-projection that has Michigan No. 1.
Top 25 And 1 rankings
Biggest Movers
2 St. John's
1 Texas
| Rk | Teams | Chg | Rcrd | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | team logo Michigan | This ranking is based on the Wolverines returning three of the top five scorers -- specifically Morez Johnson Jr., Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney -- from a team that finished 37-3 and won the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Brandon McCoy Jr., Tennessee transfer J.P. Estrella, and four-star prospects Lincoln Cosby, Quinn Costello and Joseph Hartman. | -- | 37-3 |
| 2 | team logo Florida | This ranking is based on the Gators returning five of the top seven scorers -- specifically Alex Condon, Boogie Fland, Reuben Chinyelu, Urban Klavsar and Isaiah Brown -- from a team that finished 27-8 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Kentucky transfer Denzel Aberdeen and 7-foot center Jones Lay. | -- | 27-8 |
| 3 | team logo Illinois | This ranking is based on the Illini returning six of the top nine scorers -- specifically Andrej Stojakovic, David Mirkovich, Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic, Jake Davis and Brandon Lee -- from a team that finished 28-9 and advanced to the 2026 Final Four. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks, four-star prospects Quintin Coleman and Lucas Morillo and three-star prospects Ethan Brown and Landon Davis. | -- | 28-9 |
| 4 | team logo Michigan St. | This ranking is based on the Spartans returning six of the top eight scorers -- specifically Jeremy Fears Jr., Coen Carr, Kur Teng, Jordan Scott, Divine Ugochukwu and Cam Ward -- from a team that finished 27-8 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Ethan Taylor, Carlos Mdelock Jr., Julius Avent and Jasiah Jervis. | -- | 27-8 |
| 5 | team logo Duke | This ranking is based on the Blue Devils returning three of the top six scorers -- specifically Caleb Foster, Cayden Boozer and Dame Sarr -- from a team that finished 35-3 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospects Cameron Williams, Deron Rippey Jr. and Bryson Howard. | -- | 35-3 |
| 6 | team logo Arkansas | This ranking is based on the Razorbacks returning two of the top four scorers -- specifically Meleek Thomas and Billy Richmond III -- from a team that finished 28-9 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospects Jordan Smith Jr. and JJ Andrews, Furman transfer Cooper Bowser, Georgia transfer Jeremiah Wilkinson and four-star prospect Abdou Toure. | -- | 28-9 |
| 7 | team logo UConn | This ranking is based on the Huskies returning four of the top eight scorers -- specifically Solo Ball, Silas Demary, Jayden Ross and Jaylin Stewart -- from a team that finished 34-6 and advanced to the championship game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Colben Landrew and Junior County. | -- | 34-6 |
| 8 | team logo Arizona | This ranking is based on the Wildcats returning two of the top five scorers -- specifically Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov -- from a team that finished 36-3 and advanced to the 2026 Final Four. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by North Carolina transfer Derek Dixon, Washington transfer JJ Mandaquit, five-star prospect Caleb Holt and four-star prospect Cameron Holmes. | -- | 36-3 |
| 9 | team logo Gonzaga | This ranking is based on the Zags returning three of the top five scorers -- specifically Braden Huff, Davis Fogle and Mario Saint-Supery -- from a team that finished 31-4 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Houston transfer Isiah Harwell and four-star prospects Luca Foster, Sam Funches and Jack Kayil. | -- | 31-4 |
| 10 | team logo Iowa St. | This ranking is based on the Cyclones returning three of the top six scorers -- specifically Killyan Toure, Blake Buchanan and Jamarion Bateman -- from a team that finished 29-8 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Robert Morris transfer Ryan Prather Jr., Northwestern transfer Tre Singleton, Bradley transfer JaQuan Johnson, Kansas State transfer Taj Manning, Northern Iowa transfer Leon Bond III, four-star prospects Dorian Rinaldo-Komian, Jackson Kiss and Christian Wiggins and three-star prospect Yusef Gray Jr. | -- | 29-8 |
| 11 | team logo Virginia | This ranking is based on the Cavaliers returning five of the top 10 scorers -- specifically Thijs De Ridder, Sam Lewis, Chance Mallory, Johann Gunloh and Elijah Gertrude -- from a team that finished 30-6 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will eventually be joined by a recruiting class -- but Virginia currently has zero prospects committed. | -- | 30-6 |
| 12 | team logo Houston | This ranking is based on the Cougars returning three of the top seven scorers -- specifically Joseph Tugler, Mercy Miller and Chase McCarty -- from a team that finished 30-7 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by LSU transfer Dedan Thomas Jr., Kent State transfer Delrecco Gillespie and four-star prospects Arafan Diane and Ikenna Alozie and | -- | 30-7 |
| 13 | team logo St. John's | This ranking is based on the Red Storm returning three of the top eight scorers -- specifically Ian Jackson, Joson Sanon and Ruben Prey -- from a team that finished 30-7 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by international prospect Quinn Ellis. | 2 | 30-7 |
| 14 | team logo Texas | This ranking is based on the Longhorns returning two of the top 10 scorers -- specifically Matas Vokietaitis and Declan Duru -- from a team that finished 21-15 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by TCU transfer David Punch, Colorado transfer Isaiah Johnson, four-star prospects Austin Goosby, Bo Ogden and Joe Sterling. | 1 | 21-15 |
| 15 | team logo Purdue | This ranking is based on the Boilermakers returning five of the top nine scorers -- specifically C.J. Cox, Daniel Jacobsen, Omer Mayer, Gicarri Harris and Jack Benter -- from a team that finished 30-9 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by 2024 Ivy League Player of the Year Caden Pierce, and four-star prospects Luke Ertel, Jacob Webber and Sinan Huan. | 1 | 30-9 |
| 16 | team logo N. Carolina | This ranking is based on the Tar Heels returning three of the top 10 scorers -- specifically Henri Veesaar, Jarin Stevenson and Jaydon Young -- from a team that finished 24-9 and advanced to the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Virginia Tech transfer Neoklis Avdalas and four-star prospect Maximo Adams. | -- | 24-9 |
| 17 | team logo USC | This ranking is based on the Trojans returning three of the top five scorers -- specifically Rodney Rice, Alijah Arenas and Jacob Cofie -- from a team that finished 18-14 and missed the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Christian Collins, Georgetown transfer KJ Lewis and four-star prospects Adonis Ratliff and Darius Ratliff. | 2 | 18-14 |
| 18 | team logo Louisville | This ranking is based on the Cardinals returning the fifth-leading scorer -- specifically Adrian Wooley -- from a team that finished 24-11 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Kansas transfer Flory Bidunga, Oregon transfer Jackson Shelstad and former G League player London Johnson. | 1 | 24-11 |
| 19 | team logo Texas Tech | This ranking is based on the Red Raiders returning three of the top seven scorers -- specifically JT Toppin, Josiah Moseley and Luke Bamgboye -- from a team that finished 23-11 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospect Dakari Spear. | 1 | 23-11 |
| 20 | team logo Alabama | This ranking is based on the Crimson Tide returning two of the top eight scorers -- specifically Aden Holloway and London Jemison -- from a team that finished 25-10 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Kentucky transfer Brandon Garrison and four-star prospects Qayden Samuels, Jaxon Richardson and Tarris Bouie. | -- | 25-10 |
| 21 | team logo Nebraska | This ranking is based on the Cornhuskers returning five of the top nine scorers -- specifically Pryce Sandfort, Braden Frager, Ugnius Jarusevicius, Connor Essegian and Cale Jacobsen --- from a team that finished 28-7 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Belmont transfer Sam Orme and four-star prospects Colin Rice and Jacob Lanier. | -- | 28-7 |
| 22 | team logo Vanderbilt | This ranking is based on the Commodores returning three of the top 10 scorers -- specifically Tyler Tanner, Chandler Bing and Mike James -- from a team that finished 27-9 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Ethan Mgbako, Anthony Brown and Jackson Sheffield. | -- | 27-9 |
| 23 | team logo Kansas | This ranking is based on the Jayhawks returning one of the top seven scorers -- specifically Kohl Rosario -- from a team that finished 24-11 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Taylen Kinney and four-star prospects Davion Adkins, Trent Perry and Luke Barnett. | -- | 24-11 |
| 24 | team logo Iowa | This ranking is based on the Hawkeyes returning five of the top eight scorers -- specifically Cooper Koch, Cam Manyawu, Kael Combs, Tate Sage and Isaia Howard -- from a team that finished 24-13 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospect Ethan Harris and three-star prospect Jaidyn Coon. | -- | 24-13 |
| 25 | team logo TCU | This ranking is based on the Horned Frogs returning five of the top seven scorers -- specifically Xavier Edmonds, Micah Robinson, Liutauras Lelevicius, Brock Harding and Tanner Toolson -- from a team that finished 23-12 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by JUCO prospect Trent Lincoln. | -- | 23-12 |
| 26 | team logo Saint Louis | This ranking is based on the Billikens returning five of the top seven scorers -- specifically Trey Green, Amari McCottry, Kellen Thames, Ishan Sharma and Quentin Jones -- from a team that finished 29-6 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospect Jermel Thomas. | -- | 29-6 |
Q&A
Who is Quinn Ellis and what are his achievements in basketball?
Quinn Ellis is a 23-year-old point guard from England, recognized as Lega Basket Serie A's Best Young Player in 2025 and the Italian Cup MVP the same year.
How will Quinn Ellis impact St. John's basketball team next season?
Quinn Ellis is expected to enhance St. John's performance by bringing his professional experience and skills, aiming to help the team secure back-to-back Big East championships.
What led to St. John's struggles last season in college basketball?
St. John's struggled last season primarily due to the failure to enroll an elite point guard, a mistake acknowledged by coach Rick Pitino.
What eligibility changes have affected college basketball rosters recently?
Recent changes in eligibility rules have allowed more European players to join college basketball teams, contributing to diverse rosters and improved performance, as seen with Illinois reaching the 2026 Final Four.
