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St. John's Red Storm guard Dylan Darling (0) controls the ball against Kansas Jayhawks guard Elmarko Jackson (13) in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Give Kyle Smith an assist.
When St. John’s explored adding Dylan Darling last spring, Kyle Smith — the former Columbia and Washington State coach now at Stanford — urged the Red Storm to pursue the Idaho State transfer.
Smith and St. John’s assistant coach Bob Walsh were college roommates, and Smith was convinced Darling wouldn’t just be a fit in Queens; he’d be a difference-maker.
“I told Bob Walsh, I don’t know any coach who wouldn’t love what he’s about,” Smith recalled over the phone with The Post a day after Darling’s layup at the buzzer Sunday against Kansas sent fifth-seeded St. John’s to its first Sweet 16 since 1999. “I know Coach [Rick] Pitino likes the grinders, and Dylan is that. He’s a relentless guy, period.”
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