Kelvin Odih has committed to St. John’s University. The Providence native is now set to face his hometown school at least twice every men’s basketball season with a fellow member of the Big East.
Odih pledged to the Red Storm via social media on Wednesday afternoon. He’s rated a four-star and top-80 national prospect, according to multiple internet scouting services, a physical wing who adds length and defensive punch to the St. John’s roster for 2025-26.
In October, Kelvin Odih announced his commitment to West Virginia at Zuccolo Recreation Center in Providence. On April 30, he committed to St. John’s in the Big East.
Odih initially committed to West Virginia in an October announcement at Zuccolo Recreation Center in the city. He selected the Mountaineers ahead of finalists Louisville and Rutgers but reopened his recruitment after coach Darian DeVries accepted the Indiana job to replace the departing Mike Woodson. Odih held initial offers from the likes of Marquette, Florida State, Missouri, LSU, Texas A&M, Iowa, Penn State, Xavier and the University of Rhode Island.
Advertisement
“Great to have another talented freshman join the strong nucleus of veterans,” Red Storm coach Rick Pitino posted on social media. “Welcome to the family Kelvin!”
Odih was an All-State player at La Salle Academy before heading to prep school. He’s spent time with South Kent and Southern California Academy, where he’s currently completing the 2024-25 academic year. Odih was an independent grassroots player with Rhode Island Elite, breaking out after helping the Rams reach the Ryan Center in the 2022-23 State Open Tournament.
“This is a place where stuff like this doesn’t happen too often,” Odih said in October. “We’re not really known for having Division I basketball players. I’m taking advantage of this.”
Odih heard from Utah, Oklahoma, Texas, Creighton, Houston and the Golden Eagles after announcing his change of course in March. He was scheduled to take official visits with the Utes and Maryland thanks to a pair of previous connections — Utah assistant coach Raphael Chillious was his head coach at South Kent and new Terrapins coach Buzz Williams recruited him while still with the Aggies.
Kelvin Odih played for La Salle in the 2022-23 season before playing at prep schools South Kent and then Southern California Academy.
Odih joins a Red Storm roster that could be a projected No. 1 seed in next year’s NCAA Tournament, according to ESPN Bracketology. St. John’s went 31-5 in Pitino’s second season, sweeping conference regular-season and tournament titles in a dominant performance. The Red Storm were upset in the second round of March Madness, a game played at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence.
Advertisement
Pitino said previously he would turn focus away from freshman recruiting and has hit the transfer portal hard this offseason. His commitments include former Friars star Bryce Hopkins, who played just three games last season after suffering an injury setback in his left knee. Dylan Darling (Idaho State), Ian Jackson (North Carolina), Dillon Mitchell (Cincinnati), Fall River native Joson Sanon (Arizona State) and Oziyah Sellers (Stanford) are all part of a revamped roster that should challenge Connecticut for preseason favorite status in the league.
On X: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Ex-La Salle star Kelvin Odih commits to St. John’s basketball
