One day after SNY.tv reported that New York City point guard Shane Rector is leaving St. Raymond’s for South Kent (Conn.), former Christ the King floor general Isaiah Lewis said he is heading to Elizabeth (N.J.) St. Patrick.
That makes two former CHSAA point guards gone in as many days.
“I will be going to St. Patrick’s for my senior year,” the 6-foot-3, 170-pound Lewis told SNY.tv. “I just wanted more competition this year.”
St. Patrick coach Chris Chavannes confirmed that Lewis was registered at the school, which is changing locations within Elizabeth and will be known as The Patrick School.
“Isaiah brings experience and poise to our program,” Chavannes said.
Christ the King coach Joe Arbitello, who suspended Lewis last year before the playoffs started for what he called a “coach’s decision,” said of Lewis, “I wish him the best.”
Sources said Lewis’s family wanted Isaiah to return to Christ the King, but the two sides ended up parting ways.
Lewis said he holds offers from Memphis, Louisville, Rhode Island, Nebraska, Villanova, Dayton, Florida State and College of Charleston and is receiving interest from USC and South Florida.
St. Patrick lost wing Jared Nickens to transfer, but returns 2013 wing DeAndre Bembry. Both Nickens and Bembry had strong summers with the Sports U AAU program, winning five events and reaching the final of the “Live in AC” event.
The 6-foot Rector, meantime, is headed to South Kent (Conn.), where he will join former St. Benedict’s Prep wing Kamall Richards, who also had a strong summer.
Rector follows former St. Ray’s players Kevin Parrom and Omari Lawrence, who both previously transferred to South Kent before going to college.
“Shane has made the difficult decision to leave a great school, program and staff at St. Ray’s,” his family said in a statement. “He is thankful and appreciative of all they have provided.
“He will be attending South Kent school this fall and is very excited. His decision was solely based on his goal of becoming the best student-athlete possible and preparing for college. WIth the support, staff, facilities and coaching [Kelvin] Jefferson, South Kent affords the best opportunity at this time. Shane’s decision is not related to the hiring of coach [Jorge] Lopez and he continues to support the new staff and wishes the best for them this season and in the future. He plans to work hard, improve and enjoy his senior season.
“Shane will focus on this transition in the near future.”
Rector currently holds offers from Providence, UMass, Hofstra and Dayton and said he’d received interest from N.C. State, Florida State, Stanford and Oklahoma.
“I’m trying to play hard out here so hopefully the college coaches see it and offer me a scholarship to their school,” he told SNY.tv at the Peach Jam in July.
Photos: Rivals.com
