Add Shane Rector to the ever-growing list of top city boys basketball players to bolt the five boroughs.
The 6-foot-1 point guard, considered one of the top rising seniors in New York City, has opted to transfer from defending CHSAA Class AA city champion St. Raymond to prep powerhouse South Kent (Conn.), his new coach Kelvin Jefferson told The Post.
“A lot of it has to do with changes that happened at St. Ray’s,” Jefferson said, referring to former head coach Oliver Antigua taking a job as an assistant at Manhattan College. “This just happened in the last few days. He made a decision to come and I’m excited about him.”
Rector didn’t return messages seeking comment.
Rector, a gifted 6-foot-1 floor general known for his crazy leaping ability, had a big summer playing with the New Jersey Playaz Club on the AAU circuit and holds offers from Providence, Hofstra, UMass and Dayton, among others. He attended the press conference for new coach Jorge Lopez at St. Ray’s, his freshman coach three years ago, endorsed the hire and even attended the school’s basketball camp for kids this week, Lopez said, but opted for South Kent.
Jefferson said Rector was admitted into the school on Thursday, joining recent St. Ray’s stars like Omari Lawrence and Kevin Parrom who went from The Bronx to Connecticut prior to their senior year.
“Obviously he’s a good player, I’m excited about getting him,” Jefferson said. “He’s a point guard that can play at a high level and he can help make us better. He’s coming here to start.”
Lopez said he spoke with Rector and his father on Thursday, and was given the news. It caught him off guard as Rector, an All-City honorable mention selection by The Post, was set to be the face of the program for the next year, a player many consider one of the best in the city, and he was doing fine academically.
“I was definitely surprised by it,” Lopez said. “I’m taking that he’s looking for different conferences [for college]. … Maybe by leaving it will improve his recruiting, that’s the only thing I can take out of this.”
He isn’t the only player to leave St. Ray’s; rising junior Kahari Beaufort is gone, too, headed to Genesis Academy (Va.). Beaufort, a talented 6-foot-4 guard, never played for the Ravens as he transferred in at the middle of the year.
Lopez remains confident with the present and future at St. Raymond with sophomores such as point guard Jaquan McKennon and 6-foot-8 forward Luis Santos to juniors Kayvon Williams and Shawn Jones in the fold.
“I’m disappointed, but I’m not frustrated,” Lopez said. “I like the state of the program. We have good, young talented players in the program. The program’s going to continue to grow. I feel very good about the direction its heading it and I feel very positive what we’ll be able to accomplish while I’m here.”