Marcellus Earlington has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend St. John’s and play basketball for the Red Storm next season. A 6-foot-5, 240-pound incoming freshman, Earlington is a two-time all-state selection from Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) who helped lead the Ironmen to a pair of NJSIAA Non-Public A championships and consecutive appearances in the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions title game.
“Marcellus is a versatile player who comes from a winning tradition at Don Bosco Prep,” said Head Coach Chris Mullin. “We believe his athleticism, physicality, and strength will translate well at this level. He can thrive in our program because he has a relentless work ethic. Our staff is excited to welcome Marcellus to the St. John’s basketball family.”
Earlington helped guide Don Bosco Prep to two of its finest seasons in program history over the last two years. During his junior and senior campaigns, the Ironmen went 58-5 to earn consecutive Bergen County Jamboree titles and Non-Public A championships while advancing to the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions finals both seasons.
The Stony Point, N.Y., native was named Second Team All-State as a senior after averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds per game. Earlington helped Don Bosco to a 28-3 overall record and top-5 ranking in New Jersey this past season. During the team’s run to the Bergen County championship, Earlington averaged 18.5 points and 8.0 rebounds, highlighted by a 31-point and 14-rebound effort in the quarterfinals.
Earlington starred in the 2018 NJSIAA Non-Public A Tournament title game, recording a game-high 24 points and 12 rebounds to lift Don Bosco past Camden Catholic, 61-54. In the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions semifinal, Earlington recorded another double-double (14 points, 16 rebounds) to send the Ironmen past Shawnee, 49-39, for their second-straight title game appearance.
As a junior, Earlington garnered First Team All-State honors after averaging 16.3 points per game and helping Don Bosco Prep to a 30-2 overall record. The Ironmen advanced to the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions final for the first time in program history, thanks in part to Earlington’s 18 points per game during the tournament run.
Earlington played AAU ball with the NJ Playaz on the Nike EYBL circuit. Last summer, he averaged 13.2 points shooting a team-best 53.8 percent from the field and grabbed 6.8 rebounds per game against premier national competition.
A two-sport athlete at Don Bosco Prep, Earlington was also dominant on the gridiron playing defensive end and tight end for the Ironmen. Earlington, an all-state selection and top-50 defensive end in the Class of 2018 according to national recruiting services, received over 15 scholarship offers from BCS football programs.
Earlington joins a Red Storm roster that will also feature newcomers Greg Williams Jr., a four-star guard from Louisiana, and Josh Roberts, a 6-foot-9, 210-pound forward from Alabama. The freshman trio will join highly rated transfers Sedee Keita and Mikey Dixon, who sat out the 2017-18 campaign due to NCAA transfer regulations.
Release via St. John’s
Photo: Hoop Major
