Jarell Martin, a 6-foot-9, 223-pound combo forward from Baton Rouge (La.) Madison Prep, verbally pledged to LSU on Thursday.
Martin had also considered St. John’s, Texas A&M, UCLA, Alabama and Oklahoma State. Originally slated to sign in the spring, Martin can now sign in the early period.
Jeff Jones, Martin’s high school coach, previously told SNY.tv Martin was “more of a face-up four who can play the three. He knocks down 3-balls, puts it on the floor. He’s in the mold of a Terrence Jones at Kentucky.
“He has a little bit better handle at this stage.”
With Martin and Ish Wainright (Baylor) off the board, two of St. John’s key 2013 targets are now committed.
Expect Steve Lavin and company to focus on Philly point guard Rysheed Jordan, who is expected to stay local and is also considering Syracuse, Rutgers and Temple, among others.
The Johnnies — who have just one scholarship for 2013 — are also pursuing Pope John forward Jermaine Lawrence, who visited for Midnight Madness and has several others schools on his list.
