BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: ST. JOHN'S

August 20, 2008


VERBAL COMMITMENT ALERT: Omari Lawrence, 6'3 SG from New York City.

The Redstorm landed a highly coveted local prospect as Omari Lawrence is Headed to the Big East (NBE Basketball Report) and has pledged to the Redstorm, giving Norm Roberts a much-needed recruiting victory.


Projected 2008-2009 Roster:

Seniors: Anthony Mason (F), Tomas Jasiulionis F/C)
Juniors: None
Sophomores: Justin Burrell (PF), Malik Boothe (PG), Rob Thomas (F), Ayodele Coker (C), Paris Horne (G), DJ Kennedy (G), Sean Evans (F)
Freshman: Quincy Roberts (G), Ty Edmondson (PG), Phil Wait (C)
2009 Commitments: Malik Stith (PG), Omari Lawrence (SG)




-
Read More...Click 'Read More' Below!!!

-


Things have not gone well for St. John's. Another season of no post-season which was filled with embarrassing losses at Madison Square Garden. Now, the news of Omari Lawrence's commitment to the program gives a little pep in the step of the suffering SJU faithful.

Norm Roberts has needed a recruiting victory and keeping local talent home has been a very tough job. So, the news of the Lawrence commitment should not be taken lightly as it could be a sign of things to come. With an upgrade in local connections for his coaching staff, the embattled SJU coach hopes this is just the beginning.

With Lawrence, SJU is getitng a very athletic guard that can defend and attack the basket. Lawrence is improving on his guard skill set, meaning his ball handling, decision making and shooting, so his upside potential is quite impressive. However, the biggest impact he might have is being the 'first' to commit and could lead to others.

Most notably, the SJU staff will begin putting the pressure on AAU and prep school teammate Kevin Parrom, a 6-foot-5 small forward that would be an excellent addition. In the paint, Jordan Williams, a 6-foot-9, 250 lb big body and 6-foot-8 James Padgett as well as Tevin Baskin a 6'7 jumping jack forward, are also high on the SJU wishlist and the interest from them in the redstorm seems to be brewing quite nicely of late. Any combination of two of those players and the St. John's program has a nice step forward, especially in their own backyard.

Lawrence is actually the second 2009 commitment for the Redstorm as Malik Stith, a native of Long Island, committed to St. John's early this spring after completing his senior season at East Mecklenberg High School in North Carolina. Stith will prep one season at Bridgton Academy, the same institution that has sent current SJU players Paris Horne and Justin Burrell to the Redstorm program.

Stith had a big season at East Mecklenberg and his play this spring for the United Celtics impressed the St. John's staff enough to earn a scholarship offer. Others involved with Stith at this point were Wichita State, Winthrop and George Mason, but more would have been involved if they knew his academic situation and that he would be in the class of 2009.

Stith, the Southwestern 4A player of the year, made the boys all-state first team in North Carolina as he led East Mecklenberg to the class 4-A North Carolina High School basketball championship by scoring 20 points in the final game, a 72-63 win over Apex. He also added 7 steals, 6 rebounds and 4 assists in the game and his ability to handle the ball was the key component to running out the clock. Stith is a very good ball handler who is exceptionally quick with the ball. He will be a perfect compliment to Malik Boothe and give SJU another top-notch ball handler.

Seems like the ritual every spring in the program is who can get out first, this past year it was Larry Wright and Mike Cavataio leaving the St. John's program. The 'storm went o-fer in the early signing period, but managed a trio of late period signees, including a dip into the international talent pool as they added Phil Wait, a 7'1 and 265 lb center from Manchester, England.

Wait spent this past season at the Gran Canaria Basketball Academy in Spain and also has played at Proctor Academy in the New England Prep School ranks. Whiel playing in the US, schools like Providence and Rhode Island were very interested in Wait.

Like most European-esque players, Wait will have to get stronger and tougher to play at a high Division 1-A level and be effective. His year at a basketball academy in Spain hopefully helped in this regard. St. John's desperately needs some effective size on the court this season.

Norm Roberts' long-term future was very uncertain with the Redstorm throgh last season and that obviously was not going to help on the recruiting trail. Despite that uncertainty, Roberts and staff were able to land a solid commitment from Harrisburg High School's Quincy Roberts in the 2008 late signing period. The 6'4, 190 lb guard was one time a commitment for Miami (FL), but opted not to sign last fall and re-opened his recruitment. Roberts' recruitment had been rather quiet throughout the season, but after averaging over 18 points a game, along with 6 rebounds and 5 assists, the Mid-Penn all-conference selection suddenly saw a spike in his recruiting as he quickly became one of the top unsigned prospects left on the recruiting board. After considering Virginia as well, Roberts decided to join the Redstorm program and pledged to Norm Roberts.

Ty Edmondson also committed to St. John's this spring and you can place him on the St. John's roster for 2008-2009. Edmondson is an athletic and tall guard that will help run the show for St. John's, giving Malik Boothe help handling the ball next season. A very strong senior season was punctuated by winning the slam-dunk contest in the Kentucky-Ohio All-Star game. As a senior, Edmondson averaged 18.4 points per game, 6.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.7 steals at UHA helping the Blazers to a 30-5 record helping the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) District 8 and Region 2 championship.


Roberts recently received a vote of confidence from the St. John's administration, hoping to give him a lift on the recruiting trail, and signed a new rollover contract. However, the uncertainty of his future still hangs over the program like a 'storm cloud and will continue to handcuff his recruiting. The recent hirings Kimani Young and Oswald Cross do give the Redstorm a much more positive image and influence in NYC circles and the impact should be felt in 2009, and has been with the commitment of Lawrence, as well as 2010 as Jayvaughn Pinkston, Ashton Pankey and Devon Collier all played under Young on the AAU circuit this past year.

We will see if this indeed is the spawning of a new Redstorm.