Jeff Borzello of CBSSports.com is reporting that JaKarr Sampson, one of the nine newcomers signed to Steve Lavin’s recruiting class of 2011, has decommitted from the Red Storm and will reopen his recruitment.
“[JaKarr] has decided to return to Brewster Academy as a post-grad student and to further his education to complete his academic requirement to attend college academically,” Sampson’s former AAU coach Don Anderson told Borzello.
Amir Garrett and Norvel Pelle, the other two incoming freshmen to be ruled ineligible, will be taking classes to work toward eligibility and be cleared to play for St. John’s, beginning in the second semester.
Sampson is an athletic combo forward with the ability to face up to the basket and score in the post. On the defensive end, he uses his athleticism to block shots from the weak side. He was regarded by many recruiting outlets as the best overall prospect in the Red Storm Class of 2011.
His ineligibility and return to Brewster leave the Red Storm with a depleted frontcourt to begin the 2011-2012 season. God’sgift Achiuwa remains the only post player on the active roster, which could force natural forwards Maurice Harkless and Sir’Dominic Pointer to take on a greater role in defending down low.
Prior to his commitment to St. John’s, Sampson was considering Baylor, Louisville, and Tennessee.
If Sampson rejoins the basketball team at Brewster, he will be another asset on an already-talented squad that includes high-major prospects TJ Warren and Mitch McGary.
[…] will remain committed to St. John’s, unlike his former fellow signee JaKarr Sampson, who is returning to Brewster Academy for a post-grad year and will reopen his […]