St. John's adds another top recruit in Pelle
FILE - Steve Lavin being named St Johns new men's basketball coach. (March 31, 2010) Credit: Newsday/Photo By Patrick E. McCarthy
New St. John's coach Steve Lavin landed another whopper in the recruiting wars in his quest to put the Red Storm back on the national map. Norvel Pelle, an athletic 6-9, 200-pound power forward/center from Los Angeles, announced his choice of St. John's over the University of Washington in an interview Thursday night on ESPNU cable network.
Pelle's signing to a national letter of intent gives Lavin five recruits from ESPNU's top 100 list and ensures that St. John's incoming recruiting class for 2011 will be rated in the top five by most outlets tracking recruiting. Although Pelle is only No. 71 on the ESPNU list, he has ranked as high as No. 11 in some ratings services.
He's considered an explosive player who is a great shot-blocker and finisher at the rim. He runs the court well and can face up to shoot, but some have questioned his energy and his fundamentals in terms of footwork.
Explaining why he chose St. John's, Pelle said, "It's in New York, and I love the coaching style of coach Lavin and how he interacts with his players. It's time for me to grow up."
Lavin's California ties as the former coach at UCLA before losing that job seven years ago again served him well. Including current freshman Dwayne Polee, Pelle is the second Californian to decide to move cross-country to join the Red Storm.
Pelle reached his decision after visiting St. John's last weekend with another player from California, Amir Garrett, who is playing at a Nevada prep school and hasn't yet committed.
Speaking of Lavin, Pelle said, "He's a very smart guy. I love the way he approached the situation. He knew I was being recruited, but he was calm and gave me some space."
Asked to describe his emotions after the decision, the joy in Pelle's voice was unmistakable. "I'm flying like a bird," he said. "I'm flying through the air like Michael Jordan right now."
Earlier Thursday, St. John's announced the signing of 6-6 swingman Sir'Dominic Pointer out of Detroit. He joins previously announced top-100 prospects Maurice Harkless of Queens, Jakarr Sampson of Ohio and D'Angelo Harrison of Texas and junior college transfer Nurideen Lindsey, who is from Philadelphia but is playing junior college ball in Oklahoma.
The early signing period ends Wednesday, and Lavin has room to add up to a total of 10 scholarship players.
