Xavier Beckford, nicknamed “X,” a senior at Achievement First Brooklyn High School, hit a major milestone when he scored his 1,000th point for the boys’ varsity basketball team. But this wasn’t just a personal achievement—it was a signal to the world that Achievement First, long respected for its academics, is now a powerhouse in extracurriculars too.
“When it went in, I got swarmed and felt love from my teammates. The coach called a timeout to stop the game and let me keep the ball. It’s now in my room. It doesn’t feel real,” Xavier said.
Achievement First has a 25-year track record of preparing students for success in college and beyond. The network operates 23 tuition-free public charter schools in Brooklyn, serving students in grades K-12, including four high schools.
Achievement First’s school network now boasts a growing roster of competitive teams in sports like volleyball, soccer, track and field, and, of course, basketball. These programs go beyond just athleticism—they focus on building character and shaping future leaders.
For Boys’ Basketball Coach Trevon Hamlet, it’s not just about X’s and O’s—it’s about empowering scrappy players to become strong young men. A former high school standout and Division II All-American, Coach Hamlet initially turned down the chance to coach. But after attending Senior Signing Day—a tradition at Achievement First to celebrate students’ college choices—he realized his true calling.
“I saw my calling to make a difference, and I haven’t looked back,” Coach Hamlet said. “Today, a lot of these kids see me as a father figure because I’m with them all the time. They’re like my second family.”
Xavier credits the camaraderie and accountability of being part of a basketball team with helping him gain maturity and stay focused and driven in the classroom.
That’s the lesson Athletic Director Dr. Dujuan Heath hopes all AF athletes take from its sports programs.
“We teach kids that sports are a microcosm of life. In life and in sports, you’ll be in uncomfortable situations. You’ll have to show up even when you’re tired. You’ll have to work well with people and lift each other up,” said Dr. Heath.
Dr. Heath joined the network four years ago after years of coaching and teaching physical education at charter schools across New York City. His mission was clear: to elevate the schools’ sports programs by maintaining high standards and fostering a culture of excellence. He recruited top-tier coaches—athletes with proven success who shared his commitment to raising the bar for student-athletes.
Together, these coaches built a pipeline to nurture young talent, starting in middle school and progressing through high school—talented players like Xavier Beckford.
Xavier already has an offer to play college basketball and looks forward to celebrating his college choice at his Senior Signing Day ceremony with family and teammates.
His teammate Jayden Linton is another senior with multiple college offers. But it’s a testament to the culture of the team that neither student is ready to talk about their post high-school career.
“Our focus is winning a championship. I’ll make my college decision later. We are all just grateful for everything we get. Nothing comes easy. Especially because AF wasn’t a known entity, but the secret is out. We’ve only lost 1 game this season and we don’t plan on losing anymore,” said Jayden.
On January 13, Xavier hit the 1,000-point milestone at home in front of a packed crowd of friends and family. With the crowd roaring, Coach Hamlet called a timeout and drew up a play specifically for Xavier to get the record-breaking shot. The gym erupted as Xavier made history.
This moment underscores the continued growth of Achievement First’s athletic programs, which are helping shape a new generation of student-athletes and leaders. To learn more about how to apply to Achievement First’s public charter schools in Brooklyn, go to AF enroll.
