St. John’s lands former Illinois guard Andre Curbelo via transfer portal

Former Illinois guard Andre Curbelo is transferring to St. John's, he announced on Friday.

Curbelo entered the transfer portal after two seasons at Illinois. Curbelo played in 19 games (four starts) this season, averaging 7.5 points and 3.2 assists per game. He missed nearly two months in the middle of the season after suffering a concussion on Nov. 23.

The 6-foot-1 guard was the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year as a freshman in 2020-21, averaging 9.1 points and 4.2 assists per game. He was the No. 8 available men's college basketball player (transfers and high school recruits), according to The Athletic's Sam Vecenie and CJ Moore.

St. John's finished last season 17-15 overall and 8-11 in the Big East. The Red Storm last reached the NCAA Tournament in 2019.

(Photo: Rob Carr / Getty Images)

What does Curbelo bring to St. John's?

Dana O'Neil, college basketball senior writer: Curbelo is a high reward/high risk guard, who can push in transition and get to the hoop, so long as he can rein himself in. Yes, he missed time last year due to a concussion, but he was on the bench for the bulk of Illinois' NCAA Tournament loss to Houston because that's where Brad Underwood sat him.

The good news: Mike Anderson doesn't mind high risk/high reward — his entire coaching style and philosophy is predicated on it. Curbelo should suit Anderson's up-tempo offense just fine. It will be interesting to see how Curbelo works alongside Posh Alexander, an equally dynamic guard and elite defender.

If the two can find the proper rhythm, they have the potential to be an electrifying backcourt, the sort that native New Yorkers will certainly enjoy watching.

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Where do the Red Storm fit in the Big East picture for next season?

O'Neil: A little too soon to tell, but definitely in the picture. The league was really old this season, which means there will be a lot of roster turnover and transition — especially at the top, with Villanova and Providence.

St. John's still has to find a shooter to replace Julian Champagnie and Aaron Wheeler, who turned pro, but the league is now and forever has been a league of guards. St. John's has a bucketful of them, especially with Curbelo in the mix.