http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/high_school/basketball/hoop_group_elite_session_notebook_E7BAbiJ8jXCnBW3iGqnDwJCardozo’s Lawrence stands out: Even with minimal exposure, Jermaine Lawrence had attracted plenty of high-major Division I interest. That figures to double, if not triple, after this week at Hoop Group Elite Session 1.
The bouncy 6-foot-9 forward, who holds offers from Louisville, Cincinnati, South Florida, Hofstra, Fordham and Virginia Tech and interest from Syracuse, Rutgers, St. John’s, Florida, UCLA, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Iowa State, Iowa and Villanova, has been one of the top performers through two days.
He scored in double figures in all three games on Wednesday and was particularly impressive in front of St. John’s assistant Tony Chiles and Syracuse assistants Mike Hopkins and Adrian Autry. He sank 3-pointers, blocked shots and threw down ferocious dunks as part of the dazzling display.
“I’ve been in an environment like this, but never this big – this is a big deal being here,” he said. “It’s a lot of exposure. I try not to pay too much attention to [the college coaches]. I want to keep my head.”
With two years of high school left, Lawrence will have more opportunities to showcase himself. He has a different goal in mind this week.
“MVP, that’s what I want to get,” the Springfield Gardens, Queens native said. “I just have to play within myself and make good decisions.”