Star guard D’Angelo Harrison has decided he wants to remain at St. John’s and is optimistic about his future as a Red Storm player, his grandmother Angela Harris told The Post last night.
Harrison was suspended on Thursday by coach Steve Lavin for what sources have described as conduct detrimental to the team. Harris said she and Lavin had an hour-long phone call Thursday night, a short phone call yesterday and there could be a meeting with the three parties this morning if time permits.
But there is no question Harrison, a sophomore, wants to finish his career here and is willing to work on his emotional growth to make it happen. Lavin, who ultimately will decide whether to give Harrison a second chance, suspended his leading scorer for the rest of the regular season, the Big East Conference Tournament and the postseason. He left Harrison’s return open ended.
“He’s very optimistic and extremely relieved,’’ Harris told The Post in a telephone interview. “The pressure is off. D’Angelo is a smart kid. He wants to be the best person he can be and he’s willing to work at it.’’
After playing in each of the first 59 games of his college career, starting 54 and becoming a member of the school’s 1,000-point club, he was not on the court for the Red Storm’s 62-59 loss at Providence Saturday night, a game in which the Johnnies were 1-for-11 on 3-point attempts. Harrison leads the team with 58 3-pointers.
He also led the team in times being kicked out of practice, times being late to team functions and times not being respectful to assistant coaches and support staff. His behavior the week Lavin was in Northern California mourning the loss of his father was the deal-breaker.
Lavin declined to comment in a text message. Because the team leaves this afternoon for its game at Notre Dame tomorrow night, the meeting might have to wait until later in the week. But Harris said a strategy has been laid out that hopefully will result in Harrison suiting up next season.
“We may not be happy with what’s transpired but D’Angelo understands that Coach Lavin is his boss and he is the employee,’’ said Harris.
Harrison has been one of the most intriguing players ever to wear the St. John’s jersey since the minute he arrived on campus from Missouri City, Texas. His passionate play and scoring acumen won over fans, but he also wears his emotions and frustrations on his sleeve, his life story is laid out across his body in tattoos and he has a funky Mohawk hair style.
If Harrison can learn to channel his fire in productive ways — a challenge that has been waged almost every day for the past two years — he might go down as one of the greatest players in St. John’s history.
“This is D’Angelo’a show now,’’ said Harris. “He wants to finish his St. John’s career in a positive manner.’’