Report: UC's Jermaine Lawrence asks for release, says source

Scout.com reporter Evan Daniels and Jeff Borzello of CBS Sports say a source has confirmed that University of Cincinnati forward Jermaine Lawrence has asked for his release from the program.

UC has not confirmed his transfer and a source close to the situation says the program has not heard from Lawrence.

Lawrence struggled to find his way as a freshman. A top 25 recruit coming out of high school, Lawrence averaged only 2.8 points and 2.9 rebounds this past season. He missed eight games due to a turf toe injury that slowed his development and had a difficult time staying out of foul trouble.

"You lose five weeks of conditioning in the middle of the season and it just destroys your season," UC head coach Mick Cronin said after the season. "He just needs minutes so he can get comfortable on how to attack the defense and how to use his skills."

UC has four signed three players for next year – Quadri Moore, a 6-foot-7, 230-pound forward; Gary Clark, a 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward; Coreontae DeBerry, a 6-foot-10, 270-pound junior college center; and Octavius Ellis, 6-foot-10 forward, spent one year at UC, playing in three games in 2011-12.

The Bearcats will also have 6-foot-10, 270-pound Jamaree Strickland, who was forced to sit out this past season because the NCAA would not accept some of his high school courses, and guard Deshaun Morman, who redshirted after breaking his foot.