Former Cincinnati power forward Jermaine Lawrence will transfer back home to Manhattan, dropping down to a mid-major league but joining a powerful program that should remain in the hunt for NCAA Tournament bids during his career.
The New York Post reported Lawrence had selected Manhattan over Iona and Hofstra, which compete with the Jaspers in the Metro Atlantic.
A former top-25 prospect listed at 6-9, 205 pounds, Lawrence left Cincinnati after averaging 2.8 points and 2.9 rebounds for the Bearcats’ American Athletic Conference championship team. His departure was surprising in that the two players who started inside, Titus Rubles and Justin Jackson, both completed their careers.
In the release announcing his departure, Lawrence noted that his father had become ill and he wanted to be closer to his home in Springfield Gardens, N.Y. Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv reported Lawrence may seek a waiver that would allow him immediate eligibility.
Manhattan finished this past season with a 25-8 record after a narrow loss to Louisville in the opening game of the NCAA Tournament. With that impressive performance and conference tournament title on his resume, coach Steve Masiello was pursued by South Florida and offered its head coaching job, only to have the offer pulled after a discrepancy was discovered with his resume. The South Florida job subsequently went to Kentucky assistant Orlando Antigua.