HAGERSTOWN, Md. – The necessity for shooters with size has become as evident as ever in today’s new age of basketball, thus making Lester Quinones’ importance that much more pertinent. A 6-foot-5 junior wing and member of the Rivals150, the four-star recapped the recent surge in his recruitment, assessing where things stand as he enters his senior summer.
Running alongside five-star junior Precious Achiuwa on the high school and travel circuits, Quinones discussed how his breakthrough came about.
“In July, a lot of people doubted me thinking that I wasn’t good enough,” he said. “It sparked a fire in me in August and September to work for this season to help get my game better, get more athletic and help my team win.”
Quinones told Rivals that he feels as if Illinois, St. John’s, Minnesota, Kansas and Georgetown are the five programs that he is hearing from the most.
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IN HIS OWN WORDS
Minnesota: “They are recruiting me hard and they really like me. He (assistant coach Kimani Young) comes to my games a lot and texts me on a daily basis. They are really interested.”
St. John’s: “They have had me down to a couple of games, Precious (Achiuwa) and myself, and they have been texting me constantly. They want me to stay home and keep the best basketball in New York.”
Illinois: “They have been interested in me a lot, too. They said I would fit into their type of play and that they like my game and have been recruiting me hard.”
Georgetown: “I went on an unofficial visit; the campus was really nice. He (head coach Patrick Ewing) talked with me and my parents for a while about a lot of good stuff. He said that he wants to build the program with me and a couple of other recruits and that he is really interested in me going there.”
Kansas: “It means a lot to be recruited by them. They haven’t offered yet but it is a really good look.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
Quinones will continue his emergence as a national-level prospect this winter as he completes his junior year with the nationally ranked St. Benedict’s squad.
This summer, Quinones can be found on the Under Armour circuit with the New Heights bunch. No visits are scheduled, as his most recent one was taken to Georgetown last month.
RIVALS’ REACTION
Quinones is everything that a high-major program can ask for in a perimeter scorer: tough, athletic, a consistent shooter and he has the tangibles to guard multiple positions.
Things remain on the up-tick within Quinones’ recruitment as a college decision is still some time away. Minnesota was the first power program to offer, though the Gophers have competition coming from Georgetown, Illinois and St. John’s, as a number of others are expected to jump into the picture before things come to a close.
