St. John’s University announced this week that Reed Bailey, a 6‑foot‑11 forward who spent his most recent season with Indiana, has signed with the Red Storm for the 2026‑27 campaign. The move comes after the player entered the transfer portal with a ‘do not contact’ tag and benefitted from a federal court injunction that permits athletes to return for a fifth year of eligibility under the NCAA’s new ‘5‑for‑5’ age‑based rules.
A Fifth‑Year Windfall
The eligibility shift, which originally barred the high school class of 2022 from competing for a fifth season, was overturned by a court decision that has opened the door for dozens of players to extend their collegiate careers. For St. John’s, the ruling arrives at a moment when the program is looking to plug a power forward gap created by Donnie Freeman’s season‑ending injury.
Bailey’s collegiate journey began at Davidson, where he earned Atlantic‑10 Most Improved Player honors as a junior. He averaged 12.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while shooting 57.0% from the field, showcasing a blend of size and shooting that attracted attention from several programs.
Pitino’s Praise and the Power Forward Need
Rick Pitino, now guiding St. John’s, highlighted Bailey’s basketball IQ and positional size, noting that the forward “understands the game and fits our motion offense with good positional size.” The coach’s endorsement follows an earlier attempt to land Auburn transfer Keyshawn Hall, a pursuit that ultimately fell short, leaving the Red Storm with a void at the power forward spot.
At Indiana, Bailey posted 8.3 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, shooting efficiently at 57.0% from the field. Though his role was limited, the experience of playing at a high‑major program adds a layer of maturity that Pitino believes will translate into immediate contributions on both ends of the floor.
Looking Ahead
The Red Storm enter the upcoming season with a revamped frontcourt anchored by Bailey’s size and shooting ability. While the team will still rely heavily on its perimeter players, the addition of a fifth‑year transfer provides depth and versatility that could prove decisive in conference play. Fans will be watching closely to see how quickly Bailey adapts to the motion system and whether his collegiate experience can convert into on‑court impact.