Oct. 15, 2003

Notre Dame, Ind. – University of Notre Dame sophomore Omari Peterkin (St. Thomas, Virgin Islands), a member of the Irish men’s basketball team, has withdrawn from the University and left school for personal reasons. He has returned home to St. Thomas and is no longer a member of the basketball team.

The 6-8, 264-pound center/forward did not see action in any games during the 2002-03 campaign.

Peterkin averaged 25.0 points and 15.0 rebounds at the Antilles School during his final scholastic season. He was a unanimous first-team All-Island honoree and garnered All-Island MVP honors following his junior and season seasons and earned district MVP honors in ’02. Peterkin established single-game school records at Antilles for points (44) and rebounds (25).

Peterkin was a member of the Virgin Islands Junior National Team for two years. He most recently played for the ’03 Virgin Islands National Team that competed at the FIBA Men’s Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He had his best outing in his team’s loss to the United States as he scored two points, grabbed four rebounds in 11 minutes of action.

“We support Omari’s decision to withdraw from school and wish him the best in his future.” Irish head coach Mike Brey said .