Veejay Pre Officially Announces Departure from FEU
Photo: UAAP Media Team
Reigning UAAP Rookie of the Year Veejay Pre took to social media to officially announce his departure from the FEU basketball program he’s called home early on Wednesday, May 21.
Nearly two weeks after I wrote that Pre’s family informed FEU management of their desire for Veejay to progress his college playing career elsewhere, the young talent on the rise echoed the same sentiment.
Sources told me that Veejay informed FEU athletic director Mark Molina and head coach Sean Chambers of his choice before making the announcement publicly.
Pre’s departure is a huge loss for an FEU program looking for a UAAP Final Four return in men’s basketball for the first time since UAAP Season 84.
The former Baby Tam’s rookie campaign in the seniors’ division was reminiscent of rookie seasons from the likes of former UAAP greats and champs like Kiefer Ravena, Jeron Teng, Carl Tamayo, and Kevin Quiambao.
The question now is where Pre will go next. Sources told me that at least three UAAP teams and one NCAA contender have already reached out to Pre’s family.
In addition to saying that Veejay himself does not want to leave FEU, athletic director Mark Molina told me when the original news broke that members of management from La Salle and UP gave their word that they would not recruit Pre.
Sources in college basketball in recent days said that an announcement from Pre himself that he’s decided to let go of FEU could potentially open the possibility of recruitment not just from top-tier programs but others as well as he is no longer enrolled in and committed to the university.
