On Monday, Rick Pitino met the media to break down St. John’s many offseason additions. 

He raved about the eight-man group, calling it a “big-time” class. 

His highest praise, though, was saved for a returning player: Ian Jackson. 

“I’m very proud of Ian. He went against the grain. It would’ve been very easy for him to pack his bags and go for the highest bidder elsewhere, and he didn’t do that,” the Hall of Fame coach said. “He showed great loyalty to me and St. John’s. I am totally, totally committed to making sure that Ian Jackson fulfills his personal dreams. I’m going to do everything humanly possible to make sure that happens. But I don’t think I have to be concerned about that, because he is highly, highly motivated.”