Dylan Darling, who was the breakout star of St. John's stunning March Madness weekend win over Kansas, is the son of former New York Jets linebacker James Darling
07:23 ET, 24 Mar 2026
Dylan Darling #0 of the St. John's Red Storm shoots the ball against Elmarko Jackson #13 and Flory Bidunga #40 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California.
View 3 Images
Dylan Darling made the game-winning basket to help St. John's advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament over Kansas(Image: Getty Images)
March Madness is in full swing, with the weekend's basketball headlines dominated by the NCAA Tournament.
Over the weekend, UConn star Azzi Fudd was left speechless by ESPN's Holly Rowe after helping the Huskies dispatch Syracuse, while South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley was spotted enjoying a joke made by Raven Johnson during a timeout.
Article continues below
However, one of the biggest storylines to emerge from the weekend was St. John's stunning late win over Kansas. With the game tied at 65-65 with 3.9 seconds left on the clock, the Red Storm's Dylan Darling drove into the paint to score the game-winning basket as time expired, prompting raucous celebrations.
Article continues below
READ MORE: St. John’s title chances are clear as Rick Pitino sends warning to next March Madness opponentREAD MORE: Rick Pitino calls March Madness moment 'funniest thing' he's been part of
While Darling and his teammates celebrated, St. John's head coach Rick Pitino stood on the sideline sternly, before later calling the upset win over Kansas 'the funniest thing' he's been a part of.
Darling's late score was his only basket of the night, with the guard shooting one of five against the Jayhawks. However, he made it count when it mattered, with St. John's moving on to the Sweet 16, where they will face off against No. 1 seed Duke.
Following the win, NFL fans were reminded that Darling is the son of former New York Jets linebacker James Darling. Posting on X, the Jets wrote: "knew that name sounded familiar (yes this is actually Dylan's dad)."
Content cannot be displayed without consent
The former Washington State linebacker was drafted in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, spending four seasons with the team before joining the New York Jets in 2001.
Darling played two years for the Jets before finishing his career with the Arizona Cardinals, for whom he played from 2003 to 2006.
New York Jets' linebacker James Darling leaps into the air in celebration after the Miami Dolphins' threw an incomplete pass on a fourth and ten for their final play of the game letting the Jets run out the clock for a 13-10 win10 November, 2002 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
View 3 Images
James Darling is the father of St. John's hero Dylan Darling(Image: Getty Images)
"He was a good player," wrote one Jets fan on the New York Jets subreddit. "James picked off Peyton Manning in a playoff game. I remember that," recalled another, referencing an interception Darling recorded for the Jets in their 41-0 AFC playoff win against the Indianapolis Colts back in 2002.
"Did not know that! Thanks OP!" added a third.
And a fourth said, "I was at the 02 wild card game and he intercepted the pass in the end zone to seal the 41-0 win."
Dylan Darling #0 of the St. John's Red Storm celebrates after making the game-winning shot against Kansas during the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, CA.
View 3 Images
Dylan Darling #0 of the St. John's Red Storm celebrates after making the game-winning shot against Kansas(Image: Getty Images)
Speaking after the game, Pitino admitted he found it funny that Darling's only points of the night came on the game-winning score, with the legendary head coach left questioning himself as he walked away from the huddle before his guard's basket.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Pitino said: "Here’s the amazing thing, and it’s the funniest thing I’ve ever been involved with.
"So we’re going to run a play — but they’ve got fouls to give. And Bells comes up to me and says, 'Run power,' which is a high back-screen pick and roll. So I walk away, and I say, 'OK, power.'
Content cannot be displayed without consent
Article continues below
He continued, "I walk away and said, 'Wait a second, he hasn’t scored a bucket, and he wants to run a play for himself.'
"And I’m thinking as I’m walking, 'But he’s Bells.'
"Not only did he do it, but he went with his right hand. So real proud of him. Because to want the ball when you haven’t made a shot is unbelievable."