By ADAM ZAGORIA & SEVE COUSINS
NEW YORK — Jermaine Lawrence didn’t play in Pope John XXIII’s 75-62 loss to Brooklyn South Shore Monday night at the Big Apple Invitational at Baruch College.
The 6-foot-10 Lawrence has yet to play in a game this season while recovering from hand surgery, but is expected to announce soon for Cincinnati, St. John’s or UNLV.
Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin is expected to watch him work out today at Pope John.
“He’s been working out in the gym a lot more than he was a few weeks ago,” Pope John coach Jason Hasson told SNY.tv. “He’s cleared to do everything but full contact at this point. I think it’s a matter of time before he’s cleared to do full contact.
“So we’re taking steps in the right direction and he is feeling a lot better than he has in the past so I think it’s only a matter of time.
“But we’re not going to play him before he’s cleared and before he’s fully healthy. We’re not going to risk his future or his career over a high school basketball game.”
Lawrence’s handler refused to allow him to be interviewed following Monday’s game, but in a recent interview he said he was frustrated by the injury.
“It’s been hard,” Lawrence told SNY.tv Jan. 12.
“I’ve been sitting out since September. It’s been real nerve-racking not knowing what’s going to happen, but it’s been good to watch my team really compete against highly-rated teams.”