Omari Lawrence made it official Thursday night. In front of family, friends and members of the media, the former St. Raymond HS and current South Kent School guard signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at St. John’s University inside the Mullally Park Recreation Center in the Bronx.
But, according to Lawrence brother, Abebe, a former Division I athlete himself, Omari attending St. John’s was a foregone conclusion.
“I’ve known he wanted to be a local kid since freshman year of high school,” the former defensive end at the University of Maine said. “At the end, it was a no-brainer. It was St. John’s all along.”
Lawrence, the basketball player, stated differently numerous times. He took visits to UConn, Marquette, Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, Georgetown and North Carolina State. But visiting those places made him realize one thing: New York City was where he wanted to be.
Abebe said when they got off the plane in Wisconsin for a visit with Marquette, his brother let out a sigh.
“I can’t believe I’m out here, man,” Omari said, according to Abebe.
“I just wanted to stay home with my family (for college),” Omari said Thursday night. Read more..







Bronx native Omari Lawrence committed to St. John’s in August. Photo by Damion Reid
