Big Man’s Journey Has Happy Ending

May 11th, 2008
NewEnglandRecruitingReport.com

It is hard not to route for John Hegarty.  The big man is not only one of the most personable young men you will find on the recruiting trail, but he is also someone who has had to persevere through many challenges.  On Friday his hard work paid off as he signed a National Letter of Intent with the University of Portland.

When John Hegarty began his junior season at Dartmouth High School in Massachusetts he weighed in at seven feet and close to 400 pounds.  While his size gave him some very raw potential in the game of basketball, he had neither the conditioning nor the skills to utilize his advantage. 

Fast forward three and a half years and you will find a player who has redefined himself.  After graduating from Dartmouth, Hegarty opted to do two post-graduate years at the Winchendon School (He was actually a year younger than most of his classmates in high school).  Not only has he lost well over 100 pounds and become a much more conditioned athlete, but he has also become a very good basketball player who understands who to use his combination of size and power to dominate the painted area. 

But perhaps even more importantly, you will find a young man who has come into his own off the court as well.  At Winchendon he is not only an honor roll student, but also the president of the senior class.   

Now, he is headed to the University of Portland on a full scholarship. 

The big man had multiple visits scheduled for this month, but after returning from his trip to the Oregon campus he decided he had seen all he needed to see.  He committed while on his visit last weekend, and signed his National Letter of Intent on Friday.

“In my fourteen years at Winchendon, this is the most rewarding signing we have had,” said Head Coach Mike Byrnes citing his big man’s hard work on and off the court. 

Because it is so easy to get caught up in being happy for Hegarty, it is also easy to overlook what a valuable addition he will be for the University of Portland.  There are very few players anywhere in the country who can match his combination of size and power in the paint.  He has shattered a number of backboards over the years to prove the point.  He is simply unmovable when he establishes position under the rim.  After two years with Byrnes, he is also boasting a pretty polished game with his back to the basket. 

Portland not only lands a big man who will be able to immediately change games during his freshman season, but they also land a student athlete who will no doubt make a positive contribution to their program and campus. 

 Byrnes Congratulating Hegarty