Recruiting Report: Quentin Livingston (2021)
A change of scenery is sometimes necessary for a budding prospect, whether it’s to challenge them in a new environment or to put them in a better fit whether it’s on or off the court. After a successful season last year that saw many of there top contributors leave, Kings Fork has had a few kids who enrolled this summer who should be mutually beneficial for both the team and individuals.
One of them that should have a huge breakout season is 6’5” wing Quentin Livingston who comes from cross town rival Lakeland. At the LC Bird Summer League, Livingston looked like one of the top players in the entire league regardless of class. With a nice blend of size, athleticism and skill set both on and off the basketball, he’s set to be a major two-way impact guy who brings versatility on both ends of the floor.
For Livingston, the move not only puts him in a good position to show what he can do on the court, but he also says he’s excited about the opportunity to help as a leader with two years of varsity experience already.
“I think I can bring leadership, I love being a leader,” Livingston quickly said. “Among the reasons I wanted a fresh start was I didn’t feel I got the chance to be a leader over there and they were playing me out of position, but with this team I will be one of the most experienced guys even though I’m just a junior, I have some younger guys I can lead and I like to be the alpha, I like to lead and help show some guys the right way and hopefully lead them to a ring.”
While he may not be a household name just yet, some colleges have been doing their homework and have been in contact with Livingston already. He claims to hold an early offer from NC A&T of the MEAC and also has been hearing from Holy Cross and Longwood as well.
While KF will also have a big transfer in 2022 point guard Jayden Epps, they showed that they’re willing to also put the ball in Livingston’s hands and allow him to create off the bounce which is one of his more under appreciated skill sets as well.
“I see myself as sort of a point forward,” he said. “I like getting my team involved but when necessary I can go score at will. I’m not trying to be cocky or anything but if you put someone on an island with me with the ball in my hands they’re going to get cooked.”
Livingston’s recent growth spurt makes him a mismatch offensively where he can play all over the court, but it also bolds well for him as a versatile defender at both ends. He can guard the 2-4, play all over in the press and help on the defensive glass. It’s on this end that he says he’s really working to improve moving forward.
“I need to work on my defensive coordination, learn how to play the help and jump passing lanes more, I think that will take my game to the next level. I also need to work on my pull-up jumper, my 1-2 because guys play me to get to the paint because they know I can finish at the rim really well so adding a pull-up will elevate my game a lot.”
With a fresh beginning on a talented and well coached group, Livingston says this summer is all about building chemistry with his team and staying in the gym to get better to make his mark next season.
“This summer, I want to get better with the team, get stronger and like I said before become a leader and help show the young guys what varsity level competition is. We have a lot of strong players on the team but there’s more to basketball than just that, I want to show the young guys that we need to play together and play as a team and if we can do that I think we have a chance at going all the way to states.”
Surrounded by good talent, Livingston will be able to showcase all of his talent next season as a playmaker and versatile scorer and defender. The Bulldogs have a lineup that should compete with anyone in the state, let alone in the 757, and if they can gel and continue to grow as a group it wouldn’t surprise me to see them make a deep run in the state tournament, as well as seeing a lot of college coaches in their gym this season.