By Jerry Del Priore
Rianne John and Purchase College Head Coach Eddie Varrell
When playing college basketball became a possibility for Lab Museum United’s Rianne John, she had her heart set on attending Division-3 SUNY Purchase. All she had to do was pick up her SAT score, and the rest would take care of itself.
Consider it accomplished as John, a Brooklyn native, is headed to Purchase College in the fall to study and play the game she loves, the John family recently announced.
“I’m really excited,” said John, who will graduate from LMU on June 28th. “It’s something new, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Her father, Richard John said the entire family was more than satisfied with the way things shook out for his daughter after having other schools in the mix, including Division-2 Niagara University and Buffalo State College as well as LaGuardia Community College. But they ultimately landed the school at the top of their list.
“That was our first choice,” Richard John said of Purchase. “We’re happy with the way things worked out.”
John’s former high school head coach Michael Lloyd is ecstatic for his former power forward, who, he said, will get the chance to suit up for a great coach in Eddie Varrell and improving program.
Rianne John and Lab Museum HS Head Coach Michael Lloyd.
“I’m excited about the opportunity Rianne has to play at the next level, especially at a fine institution like Purchase,” Lloyd said. “I believe in Coach Eddie, his system, beliefs, and value system. They are headed in the right direction and I’m happy Rianne will be a part of it.”
Although not a polished played when she first entered Lab Museum, Lloyd said John bought into the Lady Gators’ hoops system in every way possible.
“At Lab Museum, we put a premium on player development, college placement and community service,” he said. “Rianne is living proof of the player development program we’ve established. She’s improved each year mainly because she took full advantage of the program.
“Rianne joined the program as a sophomore having never been on a team,” the four-year coach continued. “She was able to bridge the gap by attending additional workout sessions and participating in the offseason. As a result, she was selected to represent Manhattan in the Wheelchair Charites All-Star Game.”
John averaged 9.3 points and 10.12 rebounds per game in 17 contests, helping the Lady Gators to an 18-0 record and first place finish in the PSAL’s A West Division. Plus, a trip to the Class A Championship game—a 59-40 defeat to James Madison at Baruch College.
