Rúben Prey shines in the NCAA: March Madness with St. John’s University and Rick Pitino
Rúben Prey’s debut season at St. John’s University
Rúben Prey is experiencing his first year in U.S. college basketball with St. John’s University, where he’s part of the Red Storm roster. At just 20 years old, the Portuguese forward has already claimed the regular season and tournament titles in one of the most competitive college basketball conferences — the Big East. Now, he moves forward into March Madness with a clear ambition: “win it all!”
Competing in March Madness: early achievements and bold goals
In an exclusive interview with Hoopers, Rúben Prey shared his outlook on the most unpredictable basketball tournament in the world. He also took the opportunity to reflect on his first NCAA season and his future in the United States.
Victory over Omaha and Prey’s early impact
A commanding win over Omaha (83-53) at the tournament’s start underscored the team’s positive momentum. It marked the Red Storm’s tenth consecutive win and a March Madness scoring record for Rick Pitino and his squad. Coming off the bench, Prey logged 13 minutes, recording six points, two rebounds, and two steals — solid numbers that showcase his contribution and potential in his NCAA debut season.
Adjusting to life and college culture in the U.S.
“I’ve been away from home for a while, but in Spain it was just a one-hour difference. Now it’s different… talking to friends and family after 7 PM is already late. I had to adapt to that,” he confessed about the move to the U.S. As for food, he says it’s okay but not like home: “It’s not bad (the food), but I miss home cooking. I usually eat at the university.”
Team integration and Rick Pitino’s leadership
Still, Prey says he feels well integrated: “Sometimes I go to teammates’ houses, they’ve always helped me. There’s a lot of support in the group. I feel great here and get along with everyone.” The team’s atmosphere is positive yet competitive. From the summer, they set ambitious goals: “When preseason started, we said we wanted to win it all. Coach (Rick Pitino) asked about our expectations… whether we could reach the Elite Eight or Final Four. We said the goal was to win everything. Two-thirds are done, now comes the rest.”
Learning, playing time, and development under Rick Pitino
Prey speaks highly of Rick Pitino, known for his demanding style and extensive experience in both U.S. and European basketball, including stints with Panathinaikos and the Greek national team: “He’s tough, especially on the court and in practice, but I don’t mind. Off the court, he helps with everything… he’s calm and a good person. You just have to handle the pressure and work — that’s part of it. I love playing for him!”
Although he wishes for more minutes, Prey understands the process: “I’d like to play more (laughs)… but it’s my first year here. I have a lot to learn and work on. I believe I’m growing every day and throughout this process. I trust the coach and the plan he has for me.”
NCAA playstyle vs. European basketball
Adapting to the American playstyle has been challenging but motivating for the former Joventut Badalona (ACB) player. “I’ve improved my defense on perimeter players. The game is faster, in my opinion, and our system promotes that pace. Physically, I’ve gotten better, but there’s work to be done — especially on my shooting, which I’ll focus on this summer. I know it’s an area I need to keep working on.”
Balancing training, classes, and travel
Life outside games and travel is defined by a tight routine balancing practices and academic duties. “I go to NYC sometimes, but overall, it’s a very structured routine. We travel a lot, so we have more assignments than classes. I wake up at 8:30, class at 9:15 — I live close, so it’s a 5-minute walk. By 10:30 I’m done with class, then practice, individual drills, shooting… by 11-something I’m done and go for lunch. Then we have scouting at 2 PM and train until 5 PM. That’s my ‘official’ day, but I still have academic work to do later!”
Media appearances and campus life
On playing for one of the most talked-about teams in college basketball, Prey recalls appearing on Jimmy Fallon’s “The Tonight Show”: “We didn’t have time to hang out, but we took some photos and had a quick chat. It was cool!”
Even with their elevated status, campus life is relaxed: “We have a different status, but we can walk around campus no problem (laughs)… people know us, but they don’t bother us. The vibe is great.”
NCAA milestones: Bahamas, Providence, and Madison Square Garden
Prey recalls the moment he first felt part of this new reality — his “welcome to the NCAA moment”: “When we traveled to the Bahamas for the Baha Mar Hoops Championship. I also remember the first game in Providence — the arena was packed, and the energy was amazing. When we started playing at the Garden, things really changed. We started getting great crowds. Playing in front of so many fans is always special.”
Madison Square Garden holds a special place in his heart: “I’ve always dreamed of playing at MSG, with a packed house. I know it’s not the NBA, but the vibe is unbelievable — especially in this college atmosphere.”
European foundation and national team experience
With a standout career for a Portuguese player, Prey has lived a unique path from a young age. Trained at Joventut Badalona, he highlights the importance of his time in Spain — especially with the senior team — and his call-ups to Portugal’s national team. “All the experience I’ve had in Europe has been a huge asset. In high-pressure moments, I can stay calm. My time with the national team and Joventut really helped me embrace pressure on big stages.”
NBA dreams, but grounded in the present
As for the future, Prey stays focused: “I’ve got the NBA on my mind, but I don’t think about it much. I stay focused on where I am now. I don’t see myself as NBA-ready yet, but I’ll keep working to improve. Step by step.”
Facing Duke and Cooper Flagg: March Madness predictions
When asked about possible March Madness opponents, one name stood out: “I’d love to go up against Cooper Flagg and get a chance to play Duke. But really, any top 10 team is insane. The real difference is that it’s just one game. We don’t know how far anyone — including us or Duke — can go. There are always surprises. We know what we want, but also that the best team doesn’t always win. Tennessee is good too… lots of contenders. Honestly, if you played this tournament three times, you’d probably get three different winners.”
Winning formula: defensive unity and offensive spacing
On-court success depends on defensive unity and creating space on offense: “If we’re connected on defense and work on spacing in attack, we get better shots. That’s the key to our game as a team.”
Rick Pitino’s feedback and Prey’s defensive versatility
Prey shared how Rick Pitino has set expectations for him: “The feedback has been positive. Coach tells me he likes my pace and the energy I bring to the team. He praises my ability to guard multiple positions, which makes the team more versatile. We can switch more often. He wants me to keep improving my shooting this summer. We’ve talked about all of that.”
Message to young athletes: dream big
Focused on helping St. John’s go as far as possible in March Madness, Prey left a message to those following his promising career: “Never give up on your dreams, on what you love to do. Even when things go wrong, keep your confidence. Believe in yourself and your abilities. You’ve got to dream big,” he concluded.
Next challenge: St. John’s faces Arkansas in March Madness
After Omaha, St. John’s faces Arkansas (Saturday, 6:40 PM), coached by the legendary John Calipari, who surprised many by beating powerhouse Kansas. March and its “madness” are underway — and it’s great to have Portuguese presence in the most thrilling tournament in American college basketball!
