Kentan Facey, Long Island Lutheran’s 6-foot-9 forward whose stock exploded this summer after a series of impressive performances, has begun the long process of cutting down his list of suitors.
A native of Trelawny, Jamaica — the same town as Olympian Usain Bolt and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Samardo Samuels — Facey is down to 11 schools, his AAU coach and mentor Karriem Memminger said.
St. John’s UCLA, Rhode Island, Providence, Virginia Tech, Memphis, Rutgers, UConn, USC, Xavier and Dayton made the final cut based on “guys that followed him the most, guys who showed interest early on, head coaches that attended a lot of games,” Memminger said.
“It was too much,” Memminger said of all the schools that were calling. “Like 30-something schools. A lot of phone calls. It became tiring.”
Facey will visit Connecticut Wednesday, St. John’s Friday and Rutgers Tuesday, Memminger said. Facey may also go on a west coast swing after the Rutgers visit, to see UCLA and USC. Memminger said the plan is for Facey to cut his list down to five after taking a series of unofficial visits and going on officials to the final five. There is no timetable for a decision, on a final five or for a commitment, Memminger said.
“We want to take our time and make sure he’s making the best and smartest decision,” Memminger said. “It could be November or April [when he commits], we’re not sure. It’s all on him, when he feels it’s the right time.”
After helping LuHi to a repeat of the state Federation Class A title, Facey has enjoyed a big summer with the New Rens and outplayed some of the nation’s top big men at the Nike-sponsored LeBron James Skills Academy and Amare’ Stoudemire Camp.