Trevon Hamlet said he’s always dreamed of playing Division I basketball. But a cruel reality set in about three weeks ago when he found out he was two classes shy of passing through the NCAA Clearinghouse.
It was time for Plan B.
“At the end of day, not everyone is going to go D-I,” the former Bishop Loughlin forward said. “I dreamed about it, but I fell short. I had a talk with my mom and figured I might as well go D-II.”
On Tuesday, the 6-foot-6 Canarsie, Brooklyn native chose Post University, a Division II school in Waterbury, Conn., that competes in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference.
“I visited there and the campus was nice,” Hamlet said. “They had shown a lot of interest in me and I want to come in and help out a lot.”
Hamlet, who was named a second-team FiveBoroSports.com All-Brooklyn selection, will join former Boys & Girls standout Brandon Romain, who led the Eagles in scoring, averaging 18.3 points per game.
Hamlet said he’s played against Romain, one of several New York City natives at Post, since they were about 12 and have been friendly the last three years.
“He had a good year,” Hamlet said of Romain. “I think I can try and go in and do the same thing.”
Hamlet, who was Loughlin’s second leading scorer, averaging 16.1 points per game this season, said he’s been working hard over the summer on his jump shot and his guard skills. While he was primarily used as a low-post threat in high school, Hamlet said Post coach Mike Donnelly spoke to him about also playing as a small forward.
Hamlet said he drew interest from Division I schools Manhattan, Quinnipac, New Orleans, Campbell University and Delaware State during what was a long and grueling recruiting process.
But when word surfaced that he didn’t qualify to play Division I basketball, several junior colleges entered the fray. Leading the way was Iowa Western.
Hamlet, though, didn’t want to be too far from home and wasn’t interested in going the prep school route. After speaking with his mother, Joni, he chose Post. It is not a Division I school, but the 18-year-old Hamlet has already put his decision in perspective.
“I’m still going to school for free,” Hamlet said. “My mom sacrificed a lot for me. I’m giving back to her for all the time and all the money she put in for me. I can’t be mad because I’m going to school for free.”
