Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Both Norvel Pelle and his sister say a report that he decommitted from St. John’s is inaccurate.
“I didn’t decommit frm no where I’m focusing on gettn my grades rite wit the ncaa. More so I’m jus focusing on me and my fam,” the 6-foot-10 Pelle said on his Twitter account.
“It’s inaccurate information,” Cherisa Pelle told SNY.tv about the report. “He did not decommit from St. John’s.”
She added: “Yes, he does still want to go to St. John’s.”
She said her brother wasn’t available for comment because he has a private phone line, but confirmed he has enrolled at The Phelps School in Malvern, Pa.
AztecSportsReport.com, a San Diego State Rivals affiliate, wrote a story quoting Pelle and saying he had decommitted.
“I’m back on the market, which I just found out,” Pelle is quoted as telling the Website Thursday. “So it’s my opportunity to go to different schools.”
Cherisa says her brother has a private line and never spoke with the site.
“He hasn’t spoken to anyone,” she said. “How can he tell anyone he decommitted?”
The Website indicated Pelle may join former Price (Calif.) High School teammate Skylar Spencer at San Diego State when he arrives in 2012.
“We could turn the program,” Pelle allegedly told the Website. “Possibly go to the NCAA Tournament and win it. That would be our main goal next year if everything works out and I decide to go there and what not.”
St. John’s spokesman Mark Fratto said the school could not comment because Pelle is now considered a prospective student-athlete who has not signed a Letter of Intent.
Pelle was one of three St. John’s commits ruled academically ineligible by the NCAA.
JaKarr Sampson, a 6-8 forward, previously decommitted and is back at Brewster (N.H.) Academy for a postgraduate year.
Amir Garrett, a 6-7 wing, is at Bridgton (Maine) Academy.
A source close to the Phelps School admission process confirmed that Pelle was on campus there Thursday.
“He’s as good as enrolled,” the source told SNY.tv, confirming news first reported by Keith Pompey of Philly.com.
The source said he was still under the impression that Pelle wanted to attend St. John’s, but it was unclear when he might become eligible.
“If something happens between now and January and he can be in college for the second semester we’ll certainly help him get there,” the source said.
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**St. John’s freshmen trio declared ineligible
**St. John’s players in limbo
**Sampson to Brewster
**Sampson decommits, Garrett to Bridgton
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
Both Norvel Pelle and his sister say a report that he decommitted from St. John’s is inaccurate.
“I didn’t decommit frm no where I’m focusing on gettn my grades rite wit the ncaa. More so I’m jus focusing on me and my fam,” the 6-foot-10 Pelle said on his Twitter account.
“It’s inaccurate information,” Cherisa Pelle told SNY.tv about the report. “He did not decommit from St. John’s.”
She added: “Yes, he does still want to go to St. John’s.”
She said her brother wasn’t available for comment because he has a private phone line, but confirmed he has enrolled at The Phelps School in Malvern, Pa.
AztecSportsReport.com, a San Diego State Rivals affiliate, wrote a story quoting Pelle and saying he had decommitted.
“I’m back on the market, which I just found out,” Pelle is quoted as telling the Website Thursday. “So it’s my opportunity to go to different schools.”
Cherisa says her brother has a private line and never spoke with the site.
“He hasn’t spoken to anyone,” she said. “How can he tell anyone he decommitted?”
The Website indicated Pelle may join former Price (Calif.) High School teammate Skylar Spencer at San Diego State when he arrives in 2012.
“We could turn the program,” Pelle allegedly told the Website. “Possibly go to the NCAA Tournament and win it. That would be our main goal next year if everything works out and I decide to go there and what not.”
St. John’s spokesman Mark Fratto said the school could not comment because Pelle is now considered a prospective student-athlete who has not signed a Letter of Intent.
Pelle was one of three St. John’s commits ruled academically ineligible by the NCAA.
JaKarr Sampson, a 6-8 forward, previously decommitted and is back at Brewster (N.H.) Academy for a postgraduate year.
Amir Garrett, a 6-7 wing, is at Bridgton (Maine) Academy.
A source close to the Phelps School admission process confirmed that Pelle was on campus there Thursday.
“He’s as good as enrolled,” the source told SNY.tv, confirming news first reported by Keith Pompey of Philly.com.
The source said he was still under the impression that Pelle wanted to attend St. John’s, but it was unclear when he might become eligible.
“If something happens between now and January and he can be in college for the second semester we’ll certainly help him get there,” the source said.
RELATED CONTENT
**St. John’s freshmen trio declared ineligible
**St. John’s players in limbo
**Sampson to Brewster
**Sampson decommits, Garrett to Bridgton
