RECRUITING: Pilots’ Garrett inks with St. John’s

Amir Garrett embarked on a long, winding road when he left Sierra Vista after his sophomore year.

That road found its way back home to Las Vegas over the summer, and led Wednesday to a Division I basketball scholarship.

Garrett, a 6-foot-6-inch senior swingman at Findlay Prep, signed to play at St. John’s on Wednesday. He chose the Red Storm over scholarship offers from Arizona, Oregon and others.

“It was just a good fit for me,” Garrett said. “Coach (Steve) Lavin is trying to bring the program around, and I’m a person who can help.”

Garrett played his freshman and sophomore seasons with the Mountain Lions, but transferred to Leuzinger (Lawndale, Calif.) as a junior.

 

In addition to added recruiting exposure, Garrett led the Olympians to the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Division I-A title.

Finally, he returned to Southern Nevada after his junior year and is playing for the Pilots (3-0) this season.

“It’s been a success,” Garrett said of his travels the past two years. “Moving was hard at first, but it was a good situation for me.”

Garrett continued to improve his stock among college coaches and recruiters with a stellar summer playing for the Belmont Shore (Calif.) AAU program.

“I had to make a statement this summer,” Garrett said. “I had to let people know I’m one of the top players.”

Garrett said St. John’s recruited him to play a combination of shooting guard and small forward.