Jermaine Lawrence committed to Manhattan Thursday, a source with direct knowledge of the situation told SNY.tv.
The 6-foot-9 Cincinnati transfer chose Manhattan over Iona and Hofstra after visiting Manhattan on Wednesday.
Assistant coach Rasheen Davis hosted the visit while head coach Steve Masiello is on leave.
Lawrence, who visited Manhattan during high school before committing to Cincinnati, could try to get a waiver to play immediately to play next season because his father is ill.
“Going down a level doesn’t bother me,” Lawrence told the New York Post of the transfer triggered by his father’s battle with cancer. “If I’m as a good a player as I am and people think I am, someone will find me.”
“I’m really excited about the future, being back in New York,” Lawrence added
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.
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.
