Prized St. John's point guard Quinn Ellis cleared by NCAA: Ex-EuroLeague product poised to shine in Big East

What to expect from the former EuroLeague point guard and how it affects St. John St. John's point guard Quinn Ellis was ruled eligible Tuesday, one day before the Johnnies lace up against Drexel in the season's first exhibition. Ellis, 23, was one of the top targets in free agency after shining in the EuroLeague last season for Olimpia Milano. The 6-foot-4 guard profiles as a high-feel, steadying hand for a St. John's club that had to replace all five starters, including the irreplaceable Zuby Ejiofor. Ellis averaged 8.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists with just 1.7 turnovers in 36 games competing in the second-best basketball league in the world. Rick Pitino has lofty expectations for Ellis, lumping him right next to Daniss Jenkins and Kadary Richmond — both All-Big East talents — as one of the most talented point guards he's coached at St.

John's. With Ellis in the fold, St. John's is prepared to shift its offensive identity to a perimeter-focused attack. Instead of relying on Ejiofor, Bryce Hopkins and Dillon Mitchell to smash opponents into submission with physical drives and a boatload of offensive rebounds, Ellis gives St. John's a chance to be one of the better pick-and-roll offenses in the Big East, especially since he's paired with a knockdown shooter like Ian Jackson and an