They were, in Sadiku Ibine Ayo’s words, “uncomfortable conversations.” 

He wanted to stay at St. John’s. Rick Pitino wanted to keep him. The reserve wing didn’t score many points or log heavy minutes, but he was instrumental to the program’s success the previous two seasons, a key piece to the back-to-back Big East regular season and postseason champions. 

He was the guy who helped Kadary Richmond find his groove after a slow start two years ago, the one in Ian Jackson’s ear during difficult times last winter, the player who best understood Pitino and spread his message to teammates. He was a two-year co-captain. 

“Sadiku is invaluable in the locker room, invaluable in practice,” Pitino said this week. “He makes sure everybody does it the right way.”