The St. John’s Red Storm are set to start their 2026-27 men’s college basketball season against the Monmouth Hawks at Carnesecca Arena.

However, before they tip off the campaign, one of the players on their team was recognized and selected to another preseason award watch list. This one is a great honor, with Tounde Yessoufou being named to the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Player of the Year Preseason Watch List.

He is one of 50 players who made the cut for the award given out to the top men’s college basketball player at the end of the season. It is an honor that the sophomore wing has certainly earned based on his immense potential to produce and lead St. John’s to a lot of success on the court.

Yessoufou landed with the Red Storm after withdrawing his name from the 2026 NBA Draft and entering the transfer portal. He played one season with the Baylor Bears, where he stuffed the stat sheet.

Tounde Yessoufou named to Naismith Award Preseason Watch List

Oct 25, 2026; New York, NY, USA; St.…