Former Mary Louis star Amanda (Buzz) Burakoski signed her release form with St. John’s University on Wednesday and will transfer from the Big East school, The Post has learned.
Burakoski, who is still under scholarship at St. John’s until May, said she is considering Division II schools where she can come in and play right away. The 6-foot dead-eye shooter from Brooklyn said she never adjusted to the high-Division I lifestyle.
“I want to go somewhere where I don’t have to live, eat and breathe basketball,” Burakoski said. “I want to focus more on academics. My goal is to graduate with a 3.5 [GPA] and right now I have a 3.2.”
Burakoski, who majors in childhood special education, said she plans on beginning at her new school next September and will play next in the 2012-13 season. As a junior this year, she would have played a prominent role at St. John’s, which was recently ranked preseason No. 19 in the country by the Sporting News.
In high school, Burakoski was an all-city caliber player from her sophomore year on, when she led Mary Louis to the New York State Federation Class A title. She committed to St. John’s before her junior season, becoming the first Division I player produced by the Hilltoppers in 29 years.
“I have seen Amanda grow into a New York State champion and a highly recruited star,” Mary Louis coach Joe Lewinger said. “We must respect whatever reason she has in deciding to move on. She is and will always be a part of our basketball program.”
St. John’s coach Kim Barnes Arico released the following statement Wednesday:
“Amanda is an outstanding individual with a bright future in whatever she chooses to pursue. She was a great shooter and she was a valued member of our basketball family. She will leave St. John’s University in good academic standing.”