Talk Bronx New York

St. John’s had not yet opened its men’s basketball season against Long Island University on Friday, and the Red Storm was already off to a solid start.

That was because Omari Lawrence, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard rated as one of the top 100 players in the high school class of 2009, had made his commitment to St. John’s official by signing his letter of intent on Thursday.

On Friday, with Lawrence among the 4,914 in attendance, life got a little better for the Red Storm when it won its first game of the season, 73-63, over L.I.U. in the newly renovated Carnesecca Arena.

Lawrence signed the letter of intent at center court of the gym at the Mullally Park Recreation Center in the Bronx, in front of dozens of watching children. It was a big moment for Lawrence, as well as for the Red Storm, which is trying to reinvigorate its program in New York City’s rich high school basketball scene. Read more..

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

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..

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