A Quartet of Falcons Have Won American Cage Scholarships

By Michael Clarkson

The first weeks of the 2026-27 school year reaped NCAA Division 1 scholarship rewards for four FEIA basketball players.

Deng Ngor, Canada’s No. 1 ranked high school cager, has been accepted by Ohio State University for next season, following by offers from many universities.

Falcon’s 7-1 centre, Totu Akeuntok, has accepted a scholarship to Saint Louis University.

And guard Junior Jean-Marie will be going to New Orleans University.

On the Lady Falcons’ side, centre Lexee Anderson will be playing for the University of Minnesota.

Superstar Deng, of Peace River, Alberta, was the most sought-after boys’ high school player in Canada and had dozens of offers. He also considered Duke University, one of the leading cage schools in the world.

The 6-foot-7 Anderson, from Latchford, Ont., returns to the Falcons as their starting centre. She credits last season with blossoming her game: “I saw a huge leap in my physical and mental game, but I think I still have a long way to go.”

Akuentok, a 7-1 centre from Edmonton, had offers from numerous other universities. His older brother, FEIA grad Marial, plays for Texas Tech.

One of the most popular Falcons, Totu has his cage role model as NBA star Kevin Durant.

Like Ngor and Jean-Marie, he develops his game during the summer in the amateur club circuit with Brookwood Lu Dort Elite.

Ottawa native Jean-Marie is a stable point guard, who has developed into a leader. He loves the culture at FEIA where “everything comes together – my teammates, the coaches and the teachers. They all care. They help you to improve as a man.”

Junior’s goals are to make the Canadian national team and to turn pro.

“We’re proud of our players and how they’re developing their skills,” said Falcons’ associate coach Steve Houston.

Canada’s female high school player of the year in 2025-26, Amelia Sow, has narrowed her choices down from dozens of offers to the University of Maryland and the University of California.

“I’m not sure what I’ll decide, or what will make the difference,” she said.

A Maryland official said that for four-star recruits, usually $150,000 to 200,000 is available through the NIL payment system (Name, Image and Likeness).

Sow and Anderson are part of a powerhouse Falcon side this season.

Many other players from both teams have had offers from colleges and universities.

Both the boys’ and girls’ FEIA teams are ranked highly coming into the 2026-27 campaign.