I think this is the first time I've heard a coach explicitly say they weren't looking at any high school players in an upcoming recruiting class.
"I don't think you can win big with high school kids. I really don't believe it."
"We're not recruiting any high school basketball players because we're losing Deivon Smith, Kadary Richmond and Aaron Scott. You can't replace them with high school kids."
Say what you will about Pitino, but all he does is win. If this is his strategy, it'll probably work. It's interesting to see someone just come out and say it, though.
https://brobible.com/sports/article/rick-pitino-high-school-basketball-recruiting-st-johns-transfer-portal/