Marial Akuentok heading from FEIA basketball court to NCAA action

Marial Akuentok is one of 17 basketball players to sign with a division one National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) school since Fort Erie International Academy’s (FEIA) boys and girls programs hit the court four years ago.

Announced last week, he is a 6-foot-10, 230-pound center/forward from Edmonton, Alberta, who played with the Canada National Team and won a bronze medal in the FIBA U18 AmeriCup last summer.

Akuentok is a top 100 recruit who will join the Texas Tech Red Raiders this semester, says a news release from the elite university in Lubbock, Texas.

In an interview with Fort Erie Radio, Akuentok shared his elation for this major step in his career.

“I’m very excited. I’ve been waiting for this since I was a kid,” said the 18 year old.

He’s also grateful for the coaches, staff, and teammates at FEIA who had his back and supported him along the way.

“Those guys are my family,” he said.

Texas Tech wasn’t the only U.S. school he heard from, but “the environment, the vibe, the players, the coaches” are what made him easily decide this would be his next home court.

“I love the community and the people around it,” Akuentok said in Texas Tech’s news release of his decision to join the Red Raiders.

“The coaches were amazing, honest and genuine, which made me feel welcomed and at home. Watching their system made me visualize myself playing and producing for them. I want to develop every year so that I can be the best version of myself. I also want to win an NCAA championship and be the most dominant big man out of the Big 12,” he said.

Charles Hantoumakos, head coach of the boys basketball program at FEIA, is delighted for Akuentok.

“I couldn’t be more proud and happy for him. He deserves it,” he said.

Not only is Akuentok’s signing an opportunity for a young man to take a major leap of success in life, but it’s also rewarding for coaching staff.

“It’s why we do what we do, for moments like that,” said Hantoumakos.

As a junior last season, Akuentok helped lead FEIA to a championship and was named the co-player of the year and the defensive player of the year.

He was named a Bio-steel All-Canadian Player after his sophomore year at FEIA.

Along with his high school career, Akuentok competed with UPLAY Canada and FEIA Red. He also earned offers from Arizona State, Kansas State, Oregon, Seton Hall and West Virginia, according to the news release from Texas Tech.

In 2023, FEIA graduate Leonard Miller was drafted to the NBA by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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