The St. John’s roster will get even smaller now that sophomore guard Nurideen Lindsey will transfer.
The Johnnies currently have just seven recruited scholarship players, plus a former walk-on, and will be down to six recruited scholarship players after the transfer.
St. John’s hopes to add 6-7 wing Amir Garrett at the semester break, which would increase the number to seven true scholarship players.
Lindsey said via Twitter he had no intention of trying to go pro at this time:
“I am looking forward to moving on to another school. Will not be taking any steps towards any professional move. I like school, and feel as though I still have so much more to learn and much more room for improvement. So once again, sincerely apologize. I’ll be moving on to another program.”
In a statement released through the school, he said he wanted to be closer to his mother.
“I came to St. Johns for a couple of reasons,” he said. “One was to be close to my mom, whose health has been up and down due to some past experiences. The second was to play for Coach Lav. In both instances it has not worked out how I envisioned. I think Coach Lav is an amazing coach, and person. He could have taught me so much.”
Head coach Steve Lavin has been away from the team of late while recovering from prostate cancer surgery.
“This was a mutually agreed-upon decision that Nuri’s pursuit of other opportunities is in the best interest of all parties,” Lavin said in a statement. “We appreciate Nuri’s contributions to our program. He is a basketball player with a bright future. Our basketball family supports Nuri as he moves in a new direction.”
The 6-foot-3 Lindsey was third on St. John’s in scoring at 11.8 points per game and led the squad in assists at 2.9 per contest.
Lindsey reached double figures six times in the young 2011-12 season, with a season-high 19 points coming in his NCAA Division I collegiate debut on Nov. 7 vs. William & Mary at Carnesecca Arena. He recorded a near triple-double on Nov. 13 vs. UMBC in Queens with 15 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.
