Red Storm Releases Prep Forward Dwight Meikle From NLI
Steve Lavin announced that St. John’s released prep forward Dwight Meikle (Uniondale, N.Y./ Quality Education Academy (N.C.) from his NLI. Meikle, who signed with the Red Storm last November, is expected to attend another institution in the fall.
“We wish Dwight the best of luck in the future,” said Lavin. “He is an outstanding young man and a talented basketball player. The mutually arrived-upon decision to release Dwight from his NLI will now allow him to pursue other opportunities.”
In his first season, Lavin led the 2010-11 Red Storm back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the program’s now-vacated appearance in 2002. His inaugural campaign included a 21-12 overall record, marking St. John’s most wins since the 2002-03 season, with six Top 25 victories and four over Top 10 opponents. The USBWA District II Coach of the Year, Lavin transformed a team that finished in 13th place in the BIG EAST conference last season at 6-12 to a squad that tied for third this year at 12-6 – only twice before has a jump of such magnitude occurred in BIG EAST conference history. The Red Storm finished its season ranked 18th in the Associated Press Top 25, marking the first time it qualified for the postseason as a ranked team since 2000-01.