Kyle Cuffe Jr., the son of former St. John’s standout Kyle Cuffe, announced his commitment to the Red Storm after a collegiate journey that took him from Kansas to Syracuse and finally to Mercer. The New York native, a consensus 4‑star recruit, will bring a blend of experience and shooting skill to a backcourt that is already undergoing a major overhaul.
A New Chapter for the Red Storm
Cuffe Jr. concluded his most recent season at Mercer with averages of 7.3 points, 37.4 percent shooting from the field and 32.7 percent from three‑point range. Over his career he has shot 37.4 percent from the field and 32.7 percent beyond the arc, numbers that coach Rick Pitino believes will translate into immediate contributions on both ends of the floor.
The Red Storm’s offseason additions include Quinn Ellis, Avery Brown, Ian Jackson and Lefteris Liotopolous, forming a backcourt that Pitino described as ‘experienced and hungry.’ Pitino praised Cuffe Jr.’s familiarity with high‑pressure environments, noting that the veteran presence should help the team pursue a third consecutive Big East championship.
Rick Pitino, now in his second year at St. John’s, emphasized that Cuffe Jr.’s background — including a stint as a teammate of Zuby Ejiofor at Kansas and a season alongside Donnie Freeman at Syracuse — gives him a unique perspective that can accelerate the development of younger teammates. The coach also highlighted the recruit’s ties to New Jersey, where he honed his game at Blair Academy before embarking on his college odyssey.
St. John’s University, Kansas University, Syracuse University and Mercer University are all institutions that have shaped Cuffe Jr.’s path. Each campus contributed distinct lessons, from the storied basketball culture at Kansas to the competitive Atlantic Coast Conference battles at Syracuse, and finally the mid‑major environment at Mercer where he refined his role as a reliable scoring option.