Jamaica Resident Shines At MSG

To anyone who remembers seeing Antonio Pena play at Madison Square Garden the last time - in March of 2004, when he won a PSAL-record third straight city championship for Lincoln High School - it was hard to recognize him now.
Gone was the slender big man with a closely shaved head who planted himself on the low blocks, doing all his damage in the paint. He was replaced by the Villanova University-bound forward that can handle the ball in the open court, step back and hit 3-pointers, while still scoring with force inside.
With his bushy afro, versatile game and muscular physique, Pena resembled more of a throwback ABA-style star. “He’s really worked hard on his game,” said Tom Konchalski, the noted east coast talent evaluator, after Pena shined in the Jordan Classic All-American Regional game Saturday evening, scoring 18 points for the City team, who fell to the Suburban team, 142-131.
Pena showcased his new and improved game, hitting 2-of-4 3-pointers, shooting 6-for-10 from the field, and leading the fast break on a few occasions. “I think I played all right,” Pena said. “It was just a good experience.”
The transformation all began after an unforgettable junior year with Lincoln, when, teaming with Sebastian Telfair, the Coney Island phenom now with the Portland Trail Blazers, Pena proved to be arguably the top big man in the city.
But in September of 2005, Pena moved away from his Jamaica home for St. Thomas More prep school in Oakdale, Connecticut. It was an extreme change in lifestyle, leaving the hustle and bustle of New York City for the calm and tranquility of the all boys’ preparatory school in the suburbs. “It was tough at first,” he said of being away from friends and family for the first time. “But I understood what it was all about. It allowed me to mature as a person.”
Pena was already a prized recruit before he left Jamaica and Lincoln High School, but not yet filled-out at 6-foot-7, he would have been somewhat limited if he joined a major Division I powerhouse without some additional seasoning.
Two years later, the experience and work ethic he gained away from home, is now paying off. Pena will be part of another exceptional recruiting class for Jay Wright and Villanova that includes the 6-foot-10 center Casiem Drummond of Bloomfield Tech in New Jersey.
Pena picked up at St. Thomas More where he left off at Lincoln, leading the school to a 20-10 record in 2005-06, and in his final year before college, Pena developed into a leader, averaging 21 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists as he guided St. Thomas More to first place in the New England Prep league. “This year he took the team on his shoulders and was arguably the best player in New England prep school basketball,” said Jere Quinn, the St. Thomas More coach.
“He’s really worked on a lot of aspects of his game,” Quinn continued. “He’s just a pleasure to have in the community of St. Thomas More. The superlatives I have of him can go and on.”
Quinn feels those traits will help him succeed at a basketball power like Villanova. Pena, for one, is ready for the challenge. “It’s going to be a great experience,” he said. “I can’t wait. Every time I watch them [on television] I can’t wait to play with them, be on the court with them.”