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abr 15 2026MILAN — Quinn Ellis's signing with St. John's is now official following a groundbreaking agreement that shakes up basketball between Europe and the NCAA. The British point guard is heading to the United States to play under Rick Pitino next season in a deal that redefines his immediate future while keeping his Olimpia Milano future open.
The move had been in the works for weeks amid complex negotiations between the player's camp and the Italian club. Quinn Ellis was fielding significant offers from programs like Duke and Louisville, but St. John's's entry into the picture—driven directly by Rick Pitino—completely changed the landscape. The proposal, valued between $4.5 and $4.8 million for a single season, ultimately proved decisive.
The agreement has a unique structure. Although there is no clear regulation governing transfers between Europe and the NCAA, the deal resembles a temporary loan. Quinn Ellis will complete the European season with Olimpia Milano before traveling to the United States, where he will compete in the NCAA season with St. John's through March Madness. Afterward, he is scheduled to return to Milan in April 2027 for the final stretch of the Italian and European season.
Beyond the sporting impact, Quinn Ellis's jump to St. John's represents a radical shift in his financial situation. The British guard will move from a contract worth less than $200,000 annually at Olimpia Milano to earning a multimillion-dollar figure in the NCAA, reflecting the new landscape of American college basketball.
On the court, Quinn Ellis finds in St. John's an ideal platform to revitalize his projection. After standing out during his time at Trento, the point guard declared himself eligible for the 2024 NBA Draft, though he went unselected. He subsequently participated in Summer League with the Portland Trail Blazers, accumulating minutes across three games without significant statistical impact.
Now, in a more favorable context and with a prominent role under Rick Pitino's direction, Quinn Ellis will have the opportunity to establish himself as one of the NCAA's top figures and reposition himself on the NBA radar.
This agreement sets a precedent in the relationship between European clubs and college programs, evidencing new pathways for young player development.
Quinn Ellis's immediate future lies with St. John's, but his connection to Olimpia Milano remains active: after his NCAA experience, he will return to the Italian club, where both parties are already contemplating signing a new two-year contract.
