The rich get richer.
Fresh off Wednesday’s bonanza recruiting haul, St. John’s got its biggest commitment in the Steve Lavin era when prep center/power forward Norvel Pelle of Compton, Calif., verbally committed to the Red Storm yesterday.
St. John’s now has the coveted big man to complement the four wings and one combo guard the previously committed. Pelle, a 6-8, 200-pounder, chose the Red Storm over Kansas, Oregon, Washington and UCLA.
“It feels like home and away from home,” Pelle said on national TV yesterday when he announced his decision. “Coach Lavin is a very smart guy. He’s a very smart coach. I just loved the way he approached the situation.”
Pelle is the nation’s No.19 recruit according to Rivals.com. He joins Dominique Pointer of North Carolina, whose letter of intent was received yesterday. Maurice Harkless of Queens, JaKarr Sampson of Akron, D’Angelo Harrison of Houston and Nurideen Lindsey of Philadelphia all signed on Wednesday.
With the lack of quality big men in college basketball, securing a player such as Pelle is a major coup. In addition to basketball, Pelle is seriously interested in art.
Pelle said Lavin’s low-key recruiting approach put St. John’s over the top.
“He was calm and cool,” said Pelle. “He knew other schools wanted me and he gave me space and also made sure I knew they wanted me.”