Shane Rector was leaving a lot behind when he opted to transfer from St. Raymond in The Bronx following a stalwart junior season — from family and friends to the potential of becoming the Player of the Year in New York City.
He made the move for his future — a brighter one because of his choice to attend prep powerhouse South Kent in Connecticut.
The 6-foot-1 senior has seen his recruitment begin to heat up. Rutgers, Arizona State, Baylor, Arkansas, Texas and South Carolina are all involved.
“I think I’m a high Division I player and I think schools are starting to notice that,” Rector said. “It’s definitely nice. I feel like some of my work is paying off, but I’m not finished yet.”
Rector said South Kent is getting him prepared for the next level like St. Raymond couldn’t. He has access to a gym 24 hours a day, a trainer who has helped him gain needed muscle and a handful of Division I-caliber teammates to test him daily.
“It’s definitely benefitting me,” he said. “It’s given me a chance to be a more of a point guard. Everybody knows I can score, here I can be a facilitator.”
Rector is helping South Kent as well, coach Kelvin Jefferson said. He is the team’s leading scorer at 16 points per game.
“For me, he might be one of the best point guards I’ve had,” said the coach, who has had several top Division I point guards come through the Connecticut school.
* Queens forward Jermaine Lawrence began his official visit to Cincinnati last night and will visit St. John’s next. The 6-foot-10 dynamo, who attends Pope John Paul XXIII in Sparta, N.J., is also considering Syracuse and UNLV.
Former St. John’s and Dayton commit Jevon Thomas committed to Kansas State on Thursday. The playmaking Queens point guard attends St. John’s Northwest Military Academy in Wisconsin.
Bronx native Angel Nunez, a 6-foot-8 sophomore wing, announced he will transfer from Louisville.
New York State’s top football prospect, Thomas Jefferson defensive end Ebenezer Ogundeko, will announce his decision during the Under Armor All-American Game on Jan. 5. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound senior is down to a final two of Syracuse and Clemson, he said.