Alleged thug accused of stealing memorabilia from Rick Pitino’s office says he “didn’t take the ball”

The New York City man accused of stealing memorabilia from the office of legendary St. John’s University basketball coach Rick Pitino denied his involvement when confronted by The Post.

“I didn’t take the basketball,” Emanuel Yakubov, 25, told The Post as he was led in handcuffs to his court appearance in Queens on Saturday.

But the basketball, a signed piece of memorabilia, was just one of the items stolen in a bungled robbery Tuesday night.

Other confiscated items included a ceremonial dagger and a megaphone, both of which Yakubov and an accomplice appeared to be carrying brazenly in security footage from outside Pitino’s office, where they made virtually no effort to conceal their identities.

They also took a mask and numerous bottles of alcohol.

The accomplice appeared to be openly talking on the phone as he walked through the hallways with stolen items in his hands.

Yakubov was arrested Friday night by officers from the 107th Precinct. He faces charges of fifth-degree possession of stolen property, third-degree unlawful trespassing, petty larceny and third-degree burglary.

He was scheduled to appear in court on Sunday.

“St. John’s University is grateful for the NYPD’s quick response and recovery of the stolen property,” a St. John’s spokesperson said after the arrest.

“The safety of our campus community is essential, and our cooperative relationship with law enforcement helps ensure that.”

Pitino, who has coached the local school’s boys basketball team since 2023, joked online that he was only upset by the theft of a bottle of wine, which he said was worth more than $1,500.

“I’m very upset! Having my memories taken away is one thing, but the 1985 Petrus Pomerol 6L makes me furious!” he wrote on X.