‘We got something special.’ Could Quay Primas be the best ever to play for Central?

Central coach Andre Taylor remembers the moment he knew Marquavious “Quay” Primas could be one of the best to ever play for the Chargers.

Taylor put the then-freshman into an elite eight basketball game to step up when other, more experienced players weren’t.

“I think it was the elite eight. I had to put him in. My post players weren’t getting the job done,” Taylor said in an interview with The Telegraph. “I put this young freshman kid into the game and he did everything I needed him to do. And right there I knew ‘I said coach we got something special.’”

Taylor’s initial take on Primas was accurate.

Primas is now a 6-7 junior power forward and leads the Chargers (12-6) with 23.5 points and 14.6 rebounds per game. He can play with his back to the basket and has turned into a hard player to guard. The power forward has the ability to hit a step-back jumper and has been working on his 3-point game.

Primas, who didn’t start playing basketball competitively until 8th grade, is also a consistent rebounder and has already had a 30 point and 30 rebound performance this season.

“Quay is a unique player. He is something we don’t see as much in basketball anymore,” Taylor said. “The jumps he has made from freshman to sophomore to his junior year is amazing.”

Quay Primas’ late start

Primas started playing basketball after his grandfather passed away. The two had a good relationship and Primas wanted to be like him.

“He used to play basketball,” Primas said. “I am going to keep playing it and let basketball keep going through the family.”

Primas’ late start to the game has given Central a raw prospect the coaching staff has been able to mold and develop into the player he is now.

Despite Primas’ big stats and looks from colleges like Mercer, Presbyterian and Columbia St., Taylor doesn’t believe he is close to his full potential.

“When he first came over as a 9th grader, he was still a big baby and raw. He soaked in a lot of stuff from the older guys that were around him and built upon it,” Taylor said. “He needs to work a little harder and continue to work and get stronger and then I think you will see something truly special from Quay Primas.”

Primas has enjoyed the attention he has gotten from colleges, especially since he went from just starting the game to getting offers from Division I schools in a matter of a few years. He hopes to be able to play at the college level and has already set some lofty goals.

“The recruitment process is long but it is fun to know that you are being recruited to play basketball at the next level,” Primas said. “My long-term goals are to go to the NBA.”

Can he win a title for the Chargers?

Primas hopes he can capture a state title for the Chargers during his final two years with the team. He wants people to remember his name and wants to be an inspiration for the next generation of Central basketball players.

“My ultimate goal while I am at Central is to win a state championship,” Primas said. “It would mean a lot to the kids coming to Central. They can say ‘When Quay Primas was here he won a state championship.’ It could motivate them and they could win one.”

For Taylor, Primas is an example of the rise in talent in the Middle Georgia area. In Central’s game Tuesday night, Primas squared with Westside’s Javian Mosely and Kowacie Reeves Jr., both Division I prospects being targeted by schools like Mercer, Georgia and Florida. Primas finished the game with 20 points and 14 rebounds in the overtime loss.

“Y’all overlook Macon when it comes to basketball but we got some talent here,” Taylor said. “They are showing it with how they are being recruited. …We really got some talent here in Macon and I am glad they are being noticed and we are getting to showcase that.”