Rick Pitino landed a major recruiting victory Tuesday as five-star wing Malachi Jordan committed to St. John’s for the 2027 class. The 6-foot-7 Prolific Prep standout chose the Red Storm over Kansas and Vanderbilt, giving the program its highest-ranked high school recruit of Pitino’s tenure. Jordan is No. 20 nationally and No. 6 among small forwards in the 247Sports Composite, a significant addition for a team that has leaned heavily on transfers and international talent.
Jordan’s decision followed an October visit that gave him an inside look at Pitino’s demanding practices and player-development approach. The Tennessee native averaged 10.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists on the Nike EYBL circuit and represented the United States at the 2026 FIBA U18 AmeriCup, where the Americans earned silver. His size, explosiveness and ability to attack from the wing offer St. John’s an intriguing long-term offensive piece, although he will still need to sharpen his consistency and decision-making against college defenses.
The commitment is bigger than one player. Jordan is the Red Storm’s first top-25 high school recruit since 2013, according to recruiting coverage, and signals a potential shift in how Pitino constructs future rosters. With the transfer portal still important, landing an elite high school prospect gives St. John’s a chance to develop continuity around a player with professional upside. Jordan’s decision also delivers a recruiting win over established national contenders and raises expectations for the program’s 2027 class.