Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Norvel Pelle, the No. 2 center in the Class of 2011 from Los Angeles Price High School, says he “loved” his official visit to St. John’s and will decide between the Johnnies and Washington after visiting UW next weekend.
“I have Washington next weekend,” Pelle said by phone Sunday night. “I’m just going with an open mind.”
Asked if those were the only two schools he was focusing on at this point, Pelle said, “Yes.”
Asked if he planned to sign in November, he said, “Yes.”
The NCAA early signing period runs Nov. 10-17.
As for St. John’s, Pelle hit Madison Square Garden Friday and got a tour before the Wizards-Knicks game, but didn’t stay for the whole game.
“I went there before the game,” he said. “I got a tour around Madison Square Garden. I loved the place. It’s heartwarming.”
Pelle and 6-7 Findlay Prep wing Amir Garrett both attended St. John’s 100-42 exhibition win Saturday night over Westmont.
“It was good to see how the team played and see how Coach Lav [Steve Lavin] coaches,” Pelle said.
Pelle attended with both his parents, Norvel Sr. and Darlene, and the father liked the feel of things at St. John’s, too.
“I liked everything about it,” Norvel Sr. said. “I like the family orientation about everything with them. They’re really like a family united together.”
Pelle Jr. said he also spoke with all the members of the team and got a good vibe.
“I talked to everybody on the team,” he said. “They said it’s the best to place be.”
As for potentially playing with Garrett, Pelle said the two talked about what it would be like.
“Yes, we did,” he said. “It would be a good experience.”
Garrett is considering St. John’s and Oregon and recently told ZAGSBLOG he plans to sign in the spring.
“I don’t think I’m going to sign in November,” he said recently.
St. John’s has five commits for 2011 and must now wait on the next move for Pelle and Garrett.
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
Norvel Pelle, the No. 2 center in the Class of 2011 from Los Angeles Price High School, says he “loved” his official visit to St. John’s and will decide between the Johnnies and Washington after visiting UW next weekend.
“I have Washington next weekend,” Pelle said by phone Sunday night. “I’m just going with an open mind.”
Asked if those were the only two schools he was focusing on at this point, Pelle said, “Yes.”
Asked if he planned to sign in November, he said, “Yes.”
The NCAA early signing period runs Nov. 10-17.
As for St. John’s, Pelle hit Madison Square Garden Friday and got a tour before the Wizards-Knicks game, but didn’t stay for the whole game.
“I went there before the game,” he said. “I got a tour around Madison Square Garden. I loved the place. It’s heartwarming.”
Pelle and 6-7 Findlay Prep wing Amir Garrett both attended St. John’s 100-42 exhibition win Saturday night over Westmont.
“It was good to see how the team played and see how Coach Lav [Steve Lavin] coaches,” Pelle said.
Pelle attended with both his parents, Norvel Sr. and Darlene, and the father liked the feel of things at St. John’s, too.
“I liked everything about it,” Norvel Sr. said. “I like the family orientation about everything with them. They’re really like a family united together.”
Pelle Jr. said he also spoke with all the members of the team and got a good vibe.
“I talked to everybody on the team,” he said. “They said it’s the best to place be.”
As for potentially playing with Garrett, Pelle said the two talked about what it would be like.
“Yes, we did,” he said. “It would be a good experience.”
Garrett is considering St. John’s and Oregon and recently told ZAGSBLOG he plans to sign in the spring.
“I don’t think I’m going to sign in November,” he said recently.
St. John’s has five commits for 2011 and must now wait on the next move for Pelle and Garrett.
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter
