Despite the fact that Jason Fraser missed the first part of his official visit to St. John’s Friday night doesn’t mean the Red Storm are out of the running for the star center from Amityville High, sources told The Post.

According to one source, Fraser missed the team dinner at ESPN Zone and did not attend a performance of the Lion King with the St. John’s players because of a minor family situation. Fraser’s mother, Edmaric, wants her son to attend North Carolina and Fraser wanted to assure her he would weigh his options after visiting St. John’s.

Fraser arrived at St. John’s yesterday morning and accompanied the team to its first exhibition game of the season, against the Harlem Globetrotters at the Garden. Fraser has a good friend on the St. John’s team in his former Amityville teammate, point guard Tristian Smith.

Fraser has narrowed his list of schools to St. John’s, Villanova, North Carolina and Louisville. Several sources said that because Fraser is so committed to his family, his choice will likely come down to St. John’s and Villanova.

But another source told The Post that Fraser’s uncle, Paul, who has been a surrogate father to the 6-foot-9, 210-pound shot-blocking phenom, favors Louisville. The source said that Fraser enjoys a particularly strong relationship with Villanova assistant coach Fred Hill, one of the best recruiters in the East. Fraser’s high school coach, Jack Agostino, favors St. John’s, said the source.

So the decision Fraser faces is more than merely picking a school. Fraser, a bright and sensitive young man, surely will take into account the feelings of those closest to him. Agostino said he is confident that Fraser would make his own decision.

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The Post has learned that ESPN will chronicle the 2001-2002 St. John’s season as one of its new features, “The Season.” The network has been granted full access to games, practices, and meetings by head coach Mike Jarvis.