Theo Edema's Rapid Rise Continues with His Commitment to St. John's
Rick Pitino and St. John’s added power and potential to their frontcourt when they landed 6’11 center Theo Edema, a Nigerian native whose game dramatically improved in recent years playing at Cushing Academy (MA) and with Team New England.
Originally a class of 2027 recruit, Edema signed a two-year deal with St. John’s, and he will reclassify to join the Johnnies next season. With his size and power he just might crack the big-man rotation following the departure of the dominant Zuby Ejiofor.
Cushing has long been one of the best programs in New England, and Edema’s time there was no exception. Playing alongside guards like Ebuka Okorie (a one-and-done star for Stanford this year) and more recently Ryan Moesch (originally a Siena commit who is now headed to Syracuse with Gerry McNamara), Edema and Cushing had the best record in NEPSAC AA the past two seasons, winning the league tournament this past spring.
Over the past decade-plus, a number of Big East programs have welcomed players who spent time at Cushing, from Marquette’s Chase Ross to Jalen Adams at UConn, David Duke Jr. at Providence, as well as Andrew Chrabascz (Butler), Kaleb Joseph (Creighton), and Makai Ashton-Langford (PC).
Cushing has been a hotbed for a long time, and Edema has a chance to be its best long-term prospect not only due to his size and frame — he’s also earned praise from head coach James Cormier for his advanced feel.
Edema averaged 12 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks per game this season, according to the New England Basketball Journal’s Steve Hewitt. Edema was their top-ranked player in New England in the class of 2027, while 247 Sports had him at #33 in the country prior to reclassifying.
Edema’s stock took off during a breakout summer in 2025 that earned offers from the likes of Kansas, Tennessee, and Alabama, but ultimately, St. John’s won out.
Of course, Pitino’s track record stands for itself. Edema now has an opportunity to develop under one of the greatest coaches the game has seen. Ejiofor went from Kansas castoff to superstar in Queens.
Despite his youth, Edema could work his way into minutes this year. Pitino returns a very solid piece in Ruben Prey at center, and he added 7-foot-1 Serbian center Lazar Stojkovic earlier this spring. Unlike other international prospects coming to the college game, Stojkovic is still young at just 18 years old.
Both Stojkovic and Prey bring the ability to stretch the floor. Here’s a bit of Stojkovic from deep:
Meanwhile, Edema did most of his scoring at the rim in high school. He brings a physical presence that the Johnnies will miss with the departure of Ejiofor.
“He’s someone who reminds me of (former Iona and New Mexico big man) Nelly Joseph Jr. in terms of his potential,” Pitino said to the New York media earlier this week on Edema. Joseph averaged 14.2 points and 11.0 rebounds per game in his final year of college basketball.
“He has to be developed as a young basketball player. Remember, he’s classified up to his senior year, so he’s a young basketball player — as well as Lazar. I think with all the individual work that we do, those guys will develop nicely.”
Despite losing Ejiofor and the relative youth of Edema and Stojkovic, Pitino sounds quite comfortable with what he has in his three centers — and the overall length on this roster.
Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman brings great size at 6’9, while Pitino believes 6’8 newcomer Babacar Sane could give St. John’s on the wing, or even at center.
In Edema, Pitino added a promising long-term piece who just might give him minutes early.
Here’s film of Edema during his final season at Cushing:
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