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Former St. John’s basketball commit Valdir Maunel makes new decision

By Kevin Connelly

The sneakers of the St. John's basketball team in a game against Syracuse. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
The sneakers of the St. John's basketball team in a game against Syracuse. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /
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Former St. John’s basketball commit Valdir Manuel has announced his new decision following a slew of changes throughout his recruitment.

Finally, Valdir Manuel might have landed at his new and permanent college, but at this point, who really knows.

Manuel is planning on joining the New Mexico Lobos as he hopes to finally see the court in a Division I men’s basketball game.

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Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog was the first to report the commitment on Friday evening.

Manuel most recently was committed to Penn State but was released from his National Letter of Intent last month and became free to commit to any other program.

However, Penn State was not the only school the Patrick School (N.J.) product pledged his allegiance to as he was an original Seton Hall recruit in March of 2018 but reportedly decommitted from the Pirates over concerns regarding his academic eligibility.

Following the situation with Seton Hall, Manuel then committed to St. Joesph’s in Philadelphia but quickly left the school for Harcum Community College in near by Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

ALSO READ: Former St. John’s commit released from National Letter of Intent

Fast-forward to December 2018 and Valdir Manuel has committed to Chris Mullin and St. John’s but then the school and its former head coach parted ways in April 2019, Manuel decided to decommit from the Johnnies.

That leads into the 6-foot-10 forward’s commitment to Penn State October 2019 which comes to and end with his decision to head to New Mexico.

Valdir Manuel fills the last scholarship spot for the 2020-21 season for the Lobos as news broke on Saturday that North Carolina transfer Jeremiah Francis being granted an immediate eligibility waiver from the NCAA.

ALSO READ: Keegan Bradley makes cut in home state of Massachusetts

Because of his previous status at a junior college, Manuel will not have to apply for a waiver as he is already eligible to compete this winter, if there is a season.

Perhaps the long road gave Valdir Manuel the perspective on what he truly wants and needed in a school as he gets set to finally embark on his college career.