By JOSH NEWMANSpecial to ZAGSBLOG After just one year at Cincinnati, Jermaine Lawrence appears to be on the move. The 6-foot-9 former Pope John XXIII standout has requested his release from the Bearcats, according to multiple reports on Friday morning. In his lone season under head coach Mick Cronin, Lawrence averaged 2.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 26 contests for the 27-7 Bearcats. His role was expected to increase in 2014-15 with forwards Titus Rubles and Justin Jackson out of eligibility. The school has had no comment to this point. One factor that could possibly be fueling Lawrence’s decision to leave is the return of Octavius Ellis. The 6-foot-10 forward was one of four Bearcats suspended in the 2011 Xavier brawl and was later dismissed from the program. He spent two years at Trinity Valley (Texas) College, averaging 14.8 points, 9.7 rebounds and three blocked shots last season. He has two years of eligibility remaining. Lawrence originally committed to Cincinnati in Feb. of his senior year, choosing the Bearcats over St. John’s and UNLV. Lawrence began his high school career at Queens-based PSAL power Cardozo before leaving in the middle of junior year for Pope John XXIII. An injury-shortened senior season saw him average 13.3 points and 7.5 rebounds in just 11 games. Follow Josh Newman on Twitter
