Norvel Pelle has become the third St. John’s pledge to decommit in recent weeks.
“Word is out I decommitted which is true I jus want to thnk all the st johns fan for there support and luv yall showed me,” the 6-foot-10 Pelle tweeted.
Phelps School coach Brian Shanahan previously told SNY.tv Pelle would not be heading to college until the fall of 2012. Shanahan had no comment on Pelle’s decommitment.
JaKarr Sampson, a 6-8 forward from Brewster (N.H.) Academy, previously decommitted, although his AAU coach, Don Anderson, said he’s still considering St. John’s.
Sampson will reclassify and attend college in 2012.
Ricardo Gathers, a 2012 power forward from Reserve (La.) Riverside, also decommitted, reportedly amid concerns over head coach Steve Lavin’s health and the uncertain future of the Big East. He, too, says St. John’s is still an option.
Amir Garrett remains the lone member of the St. John’s trio declared academically ineligible earlier this year — Sampson and Pelle were the others — who remains committed. The Johnnies hope he may arrive on campus in December, giving the team its ninth scholarship player.
St. John’s remains in play for 6-9 shot-blocker Chris Obekpa, who will sign in the spring.
