Jah Hatchett is hoping to get more college looks at prep school
Jah Hatchett averaged 17.3 points per game last year for East Kentwood. He will play his senior year at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Jah Hatchett has been one of the best point guards in Michigan for the past three years.
But he wasn’t getting the exposure that he was hoping for after his junior season.
So Hatchett decided to transfer from East Kentwood High School to a prep school in Connecticut called Putnam Science Academy.
“It was for a better opportunity to get more looks and college offers,” Hatchett said.
The 5-foot-11 guard averaged 17.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.8 steals per game while helping lead East Kentwood to a 17-8 record last season.
He has offers from Ferris State University and Wayne State University. But when four of Hatchett’s teammates on the Grand Rapids Storm travel team signed with Division I programs, he was hoping for similar attention.
“I’m happy for them,” he said. “But at the same time, I was hoping to get those looks that they got.”
Whitehall’s Camden Thompson (Western Michigan University), South Christian’s Carson Vis (WMU), DeLaSalle’s Phoenix Glassnor (Toledo) and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Sharod Barnes (WMU) all signed with Division I programs and East Lansing’s Cameron Hutson has 10 Division I offers.
Hatchett said leaving West Michigan and his friends will be tough.
“It’s definitely hard leaving East Kentwood,” he said. “Especially since I’ve been around Kentwood since I was like in sixth grade. My dad (Jamel Hatchett) coached there and coming in and starting as a freshman starting on varsity … it’s going to be hard leaving my family behind.”
Hatchett just turned 17 recently, so he’s a young senior. Is he considering reclassifying to the class of 2026?
“As of right now, I don’t know yet,” he said. “It’s still in the process.”
From left, Jaden Bowman, Jah Hatchett and Darryl Thompkins Jr. of East Kentwood during a basketball on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).
Hatchett’s transfer is another tough blow to the East Kentwood basketball program. He is the third starter who has transferred since last season. The others are Darryl Thompkins Jr., who left for Muskegon High School, and Jaden Bowman, who is now at Byron Center.
Hatchett said he talked to East Kentwood coach Mike Thomas about his decision.
“He’s proud of me,” Hatchett said. “He wishes I could play my last year with him, but he told me ‘at the end of the day, you’ve got to do what’s best for you’. He’ll always be there for me.”
Hatchett reports to Putnam on Sept. 5. He said the toughest part is going to be the distance from his family.
“They’re kinda worried since I’ll be so far away,” he said. “I won’t be able to just call them if I need something. But they’re happy for me; they’re proud of me.”
Putnam Science Academy was 39-3 last season and won the prep school national championship. They play some of the top private schools in the country. Nine players on their roster last season have committed to Division I colleges.
