OXFORD — Men’s basketball coach John Cooper finalized his first Miami University recruiting class Friday with the signing of Roderick Lawrence, a 6-foot-4 guard from Orlando, Fla.

Cooper originally met Lawrence last year while trying to recruit him to Tennessee State, only to see Lawrence commit to Ohio Valley Conference rival Morehead State.

But when Morehead coach Donnie Tyndall left for Southern Mississippi in April, Lawrence re-opened his recruiting and Cooper was quick to act.

“We tried to get involved right away, along with a lot of other people,” Cooper said. “We didn’t know if we’d get him or not, but having been familiar with him certainly helped us.

“Ultimately it came down to us and Penn State, and he decided to cast his lot with us,” Cooper continued. “We’re happy to have him. He’s a terrific kid.”

Lawrence, who described himself as “a shooter who likes to play defense,” led Dr. Phillips High School to state runner-up finishes in Florida’s big-school division his sophomore and junior seasons.

As a senior he averaged 16.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.0 steals in leading the Panthers to a 23-6 record and a berth in the regional semifinals.

“When I visited Miami, it felt like home,” Lawrence said. “I want to major in business, and they have a great business academy, so it’s a good choice for me.”

Lawrence joins Reggie Johnson, of Chicago, and Middletown’s Geovonie McKnight as a member of Cooper’s first signing class with the RedHawks.

“He has some good skills, and with some of the things we want to do he’ll certainly fit in well,” Cooper said of Lawrence. “He’s going to have to get stronger, but he comes from the right stock. He’s a classy kid, and he understands what it means to be pushed and coached.”

Asked about his goals for his freshman season, Lawrence said, “To get good grades, earn a starting spot and win the (Mid-American Conference).”

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2193 or jay.morrison@coxinc.com.