Professional basketball player Kentan Facey is heading back to where it all began—Knox College in the hills of Clarendon—for a one-day basketball clinic on July 11. The event is designed to uncover emerging talent and ignite the dreams of young Jamaican hoopers, offering them a glimpse of what’s possible through hard work and opportunity.
Running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the clinic will feature morning skill-development drills, competitive afternoon games, and a mentorship session where Facey will share his remarkable journey—from rural Trelawny to the professional courts of Europe.
“This year I decided to start with a one-day clinic to get a feel for how it would go, and then build from there each year,” Facey explained. “I want to talk about the lessons I’ve learned—on and off the court—and give these kids tools to navigate both sports and life.”
Facey, who grew up in the quiet New Road District between Troy and Albert Town, didn’t have early access to basketball. His first exposure came during a visit to his aunt in Kingston, where her husband fashioned a makeshift hoop from a plastic bucket lid and a wall. “We used a football to shoot,” he recalled. “That was my introduction to the game.”
His formal basketball journey began at Knox, thanks to a moment of honesty. “I found a $50 bill where the team was changing and gave it to Mr. Oneil Watson. He asked if I wanted to play basketball. I said sure, and he invited me to practice the next day.”
Though raw, Facey’s height and potential stood out. He soon attended the Star Search camp at GC Foster College, which opened the door to a scholarship opportunity in the U.S. in 2010. From there, his rise was meteoric—winning a state championship, being named New York State Gatorade Player of the Year, and capturing an NCAA title with the University of Connecticut in his freshman year.
Now playing professionally in France with Caen Basket Calvados—where he recently signed a two-year extension—Facey is funding this year’s clinic largely out of pocket. “Probably 90 percent is self-funded,” he admitted. “But I’ve been in that exact situation, and I know how far that goes for a kid.”
He credits mentors like Mr. Watson for shaping his path and hopes to pay it forward. “During my time at Knox, Mr. Watson always found ways to support us—whether it was a pair of sneakers or just encouragement. That stuck with me.”
Looking ahead, Facey envisions expanding the clinic into a week-long summer event, bringing in teammates and fellow Jamaican-rooted pros like Nick Richards to help elevate the experience.
His long-term mission? To open doors.
“Sometimes all it takes is one camp, one story, one moment,” Facey said. “That’s what I’m trying to give them—something that sparks belief.”
