Deivon Smith has faced numerous challenges throughout his college basketball career, but with a formidable final season at St. John’s, he’s finally tasted success—specifically, a spot in the NCAA Tournament. This moment marks a significant achievement for Smith, who has spent time at four different schools and is now set to play in the national tournament. However, his journey has not been without hurdles.
Earlier this year, Smith was suspended for one game due to a violation of team rules, and he has navigated a nagging shoulder injury since January, which forced him to sit out five games. Yet despite these challenges, Smith has remained resolute in his decision to join the St. John’s program. “Best Decision I’ve Ever Made!!” he proclaimed on X prior to the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on Sunday afternoon, showing his excitement about the upcoming opportunity.
After St. John’s was announced as a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, Smith expressed his gratitude, stating, “It’s a blessing. It’s a dream come true moment with a special group of guys. I’m just soaking it all in.” His prior experience in postseason play had been limited, having only participated in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) during his freshman season with Mississippi State and senior year at Utah. However, finally attaining this moment with St. John’s is fulfillment for which he has longed.
“I just wanted to find a home to win and achieve certain goals of winning, not personal goals, just to win. I’m happy I took a leap of faith,” said Smith. His commitment to St. John’s was solidified during a recruiting visit where he was immediately put through an individual workout session, which fueled his ambition to excel. “I knew in order to take my game to the next level I had to put the grind in,” he added, praising coach Rick Pitino’s dedication.
The immediate success for the Red Storm began after Smith's commitment, with Kadary Richmond also joining shortly after. The team has shown remarkable performance recently, but Smith's participation was uncertain leading up to the NCAA Tournament. After sitting out the regular season finale against Marquette due to his shoulder injury, there was discussion regarding whether he should rest for the Big East Tournament as well. Smith, however, was adamant about participating. After St. John's quarterfinal victory in the tournament, he stated he had no intentions of missing another game this season.
Despite facing physical challenges during the championship game against Creighton, where he was momentarily sidelined due to hard screens, Smith reassured fans of his readiness, claiming he was good and prepared for the NCAA Tournament opener on Thursday against Omaha.
In a recent victory over Marquette, Smith’s teammate Zuby Ejiofor showcased his talent by scoring 23 of his career-high 33 points in the second half, leading St. John’s to a 79-63 win over the fifth-seeded team in the Big East tournament semifinals. This win not only marked the sixth-ranked Red Storm's advancement to its first conference tournament title game since 2000, but also showcased their dedication. St. John’s achieved their seventh straight win, maintaining an impressive 11-0 record at Madison Square Garden this season.
While Ejiofor topped St. John’s scorecard, contributing significantly to the team's late-game surge with a stellar 11-of-15 shooting performance, Smith also made crucial contributions. Just before halftime, Smith hit a corner three-pointer that tied the game at 31, contributing to a remarkable 22-7 run that helped St. John’s overcome an early 15-point deficit. This teamwork has been vital to the Red Storm’s success and further solidifies their place in the tournament.
As they prepare for their NCAA Tournament match against Omaha on March 20, 2025, Smith and his teammates are buzzing with anticipation. Smith’s journey has led to this point, demonstrating not only his resilience but also the collective strength of the St. John's basketball program. “It’s a dream come true moment with a special group of guys,” he reflected, and this sentiment resonates with the fans and the entire basketball community.
