$32.5 million gift to university from William J. Janetschek will build new basketball practice facility

St. John’s University has received a $32.5 million philanthropic donation from Chair of the Board of Trustees William J. Janetschek, which will be directed toward the basketball program, the school announced.

Approximately $25 million of Janetschek’s donation will be used for a new on-campus basketball practice facility, which will be used by both the men’s and women’s teams. The remaining $7.5 million will be used for scholarships.

It is the largest gift received in the Queens school’s history.

“We are incredibly grateful to Bill Janetschek for his visionary support,” men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino said. “His donation will have a lasting impact on our program and our players. We look forward to seeing our students thrive in this exceptional new environment.

Construction of the facility is scheduled to begin in the coming months and is expected to be completed in 2027.

It will come with modern training equipment, hydrotherapy pools, advanced technology — such as dining facilities, a lounge, video analysis tools, interactive training modules — multiple courts, and community spaces.

Momentum continues to swell for the St. John’s basketball program, which saw its men’s team put together its finest season in four decades. The Red Storm won their first outright Big East regular season title since 1985, their first Big East Tournament since 2000, and their 31 wins were the most since the 1985-86 season. They earned a No. 2 seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament before bowing out in the second round.

“The generous contributions made by loyal alumni and by Board Chair Bill Janetschek exceed any monetary measure,” school president Rev. Brian J. Shanley said. “Bill’s transformative gift will significantly enhance St. John’s basketball programs and provide student-athletes with unparalleled opportunities to excel both on and off the court.”

William J. Janetschek is a seasoned financial executive and board leader.

He served as Chief Financial Officer and Partner at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) from 1997 to 2020, and was President and CEO of KKR Financial Holdings LLC from 2014 to 2018. Janetschek holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from St. John’s University and a Master of Science in Taxation from Pace University. He began his career as a Tax Partner at Deloitte & Touche LLP.

Currently, he is Chairman of the Board of Trustees at St. John’s University and sits on several corporate and non-profit boards, supporting education and community initiatives.