Why Jah Hatchett committed to a Division 1 school in Connecticut
Jah Hatchett plays with the Grand Rapids Storm during the Rumble in the Rapids on April 26, 2025. He played with the Storm since sixth grade. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Jah Hatchett had just flown home on Sunday night from taking a college visit this weekend.
He was so impressed with Fairfield University that he committed to the Division I program right away.
“I think from the beginning, when they first started talking to me, I liked them,” Hatchett said. “They were the most interactive and the most welcoming and it felt like another home.”
Hatchett, a 5-foot-11 point guard, a native of Kentwood, Michigan, plays basketball at a prep school in Connecticut called Putnam Science Academy. He transferred there last year after playing his first three seasons at East Kentwood High School. When he wasn’t getting the college offers he was hoping for, he reclassified to the 2026 class and will play a second season at Putnam this fall.
“I just got back today,” Hatchett said on Sunday afternoon. “The campus was way better than I thought it was going to be. The education is wonderful, the players are cool, I love the coaches … it’s just like a family.”
His parents - Mel Hatchett and Iveliz Reyes - are happy with his commitment.
“My dad went with me,” Jah Hatchett said of his recruiting trip. “My family loved it. They support me with whatever decisions I made. And I thought this was the best decision for me.”
Jah Hatchett plays at the BCAM basketball team camp at GVSU on June 23, 2024. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).
He said he also seriously considered St. Bonaventure University and Sacred Heart University.
Hatchett averaged 11 points and 4 assists last season at Putnam. His junior year at East Kentwood, he averaged 17.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists and reached 1,000 career points.
“I love it,” he said of Putnam. “It’s a great atmosphere and put us in the best place to be seen (by college coaches). We’re gonna win another national title this year, too.”
Hatchett said playing travel ball with the Grand Rapids Storm since he was in elementary school helped mold him as a player.
“It meant a lot,” Hatchett said. “I’ve been with Storm for since sixth grade. They were my family for sure. I really appreciate all the coaches from Storm. They helped me get to where I am: Coach (Jason) Martin, coach BJ (Saunders), Coach Scotty. They helped me a lot.”
Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, Connecticut. Its basketball team is in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and was 12-20 last season.
Jah Hatchett (11) holds the trophy after his Grand Rapids Storm team won the Brawl for the Ball in 2022. All of his Storm teammates are now playing college basketball. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).
