Odds are, Khadeen Carrington will never have a practice quite like last Tuesday’s.
After Carrington finished the workout with his Bishop Loughlin teammates, Kobe Bryant walked through the Fort Greene school’s doors and hung out with the team.
“It was great to meet one of the players you look up to,” Carrington said. “I consider him the greatest after Jordan.”
After getting over the shock of having the Lakers superstar in his team’s gym, Carrington, one of the nation’s top juniors, used the meeting — set up by Loughlin coach Ed Gonzalez through Nike, which sponsors the Brooklyn school’s team — to pick up pointers.
Carrington asked Bryant how he prepares for big games and handles the pressure of taking the last shot. The 6-foot-3 standout said the biggest thing he took from Bryant was how to be a leader. Bryant stressed not to let one bad play linger, to always communicate with teammates and not show frustration, even in difficult times.
“That definitely motivated me,” he said. “I talked to him and I see how his demeanor is, he’s very calm. I learned a couple of things.”
The Trinidad-born Carrington didn’t ask Bryant any questions about recruiting — the Lakers star didn’t attend college, after all.
Carrington has a plethora of schools coming at him, but he is focused on St. John’s, Cincinnati, Florida State and UConn. The lanky southpaw, considered the city’s No. 2 junior behind Lincoln star Isaiah Whitehead, is having a big season for Bishop Loughlin, a title contender in New York City’s famed Catholic league.
“The upside to this young man is amazing,” Gonzalez said. “When the ball’s in his hands, he’s going to make something happen.”
Carrington talks frequently with St. John’s coach Steve Lavin and UConn head man Kevin Ollie and plans to take visits after the season.
“I’m open to going away, part of me is saying I want to stay home so family can watch me play,” he said. “Wherever is the best situation for me. I want to go somewhere where I can show my talent, they’re going to develop me as a player and as a person.”
* Kentucky head coach John Calipari placed a call to Whitehead to express the school’s interest. Whitehead, a 6-foot-4 junior guard, has plans to visit Kentucky, Louisville and Syracuse, among others, after the season.
Former Holy Cross standout Marquise Moore, a combo guard spending a postgraduate year at St. Thomas More (Conn.), landed an offer from Hofstra. The 6-foot-2 guard also has an offer from Rider and heavy interest from Marist.
Fordham head coach Tom Pecora attended Dobbs Ferry junior Eric Paschall’s game this week. Paschall, a 6-foot-5 wing, holds offers from Iona, Providence, Northwestern and George Mason.
Stony Brook landed a commitment from wing Chris Braley of Phillips Exeter Academy (N.H.).
Former Wings Academy star Deonte Houston of Olney CC (Ill.) picked up interest from Rutgers. Coastal Carolina has made an offer and Eastern Illinois, Southern Illinois and Illinois-Edwardsville are involved.