St. John's has climbed to No. 2 in the CBS Sports Top 25 rankings, bolstered by a strong transfer class that includes Dillon Mitchell from Cincinnati.

Mitchell's commitment enhances St. John's potential as a preseason top-five contender for the 2025-26 season.

Houston maintains the No. 1 ranking, supported by the return of three starters from a team that finished 35-5 and reached the NCAA championship game.

Last season, St. John's finished with a 31-5 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, returning key players like All-Big East selection Zuby Ejiofor.

The rankings reflect the strength of returning players and impactful transfers, as coaches aim to build competitive rosters for the upcoming season.

Mitchell, a versatile 6-foot-8 forward, adds depth to the frontcourt, allowing for flexible lineup options as a power forward or small-ball center.

Last season at Cincinnati, Mitchell averaged 9.9 points and 6.9 rebounds while shooting over 61% from the field.

He is the fifth player to join St. John's under coach Rick Pitino, following other top transfers like Ian Jackson and Bryce Hopkins.

This transfer class is regarded as the best in the country, significantly enhancing St. John's prospects for the upcoming season.

Prior to Mitchell's commitment, St. John's was ranked No. 3 in ESPN's Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings.

Mitchell was a top-five recruit and McDonald's All-American in 2022, starting his college career at Texas before transferring to Cincinnati.

He is one of five power-conference transfers to join St. John's this offseason, alongside players from North Carolina, Providence, Arizona State, and Stanford.