Guard D.J. Hamilton will rejoin Northeastern boys' basketball program
According to D.J. Hamilton, it's a matter of time and not a question of if.
The York Country Day boys' basketball player says he will be back in Northeastern's black and orange for the 2017-18 academic year after taking the floor with York Country Day the past two seasons.
Hamilton said the final paperwork needs to be approved, but that he has already met with guidance counselors at Northeastern and should be enrolled at the school within the next couple of days.
Hamilton, who was a member of the Bobcats' boys' basketball team as a freshman, attended York Country Day the past two years. York Country Day is a private school located in Spring Garden Township.
He helped lead the Greyhounds to consecutive District 3 Class 1A championships as the team's starting point guard. The Greyhounds had their season end in the state quarterfinals.
Last year, the 5-foot-11, 145-pound Hamilton said he had a season-high 21 points against Fairfield.
Related: York Country Day dominant in district title run
At Northeastern, he could play in the backcourt alongside established senior leaders Antonio Rizzuto and Fred Mulbah. Also returning is Nate Wilson, a soon-to-be sophomore who shoots the ball well from the wing position.
Last year the Bobcats won YAIAA and District 3 Class 5A championships. Northeastern reached the PIAA Class 5A semifinals.
Hamilton said he could play point guard and fill the shoes of the departed Austin Greene. He added, however, that himself, Rizzuto and Mulbah are interchangeable.
"I could most definitely see myself in that role," he said. "It's all up to the coaching staff to see where they want to put me."
Hamilton said he made the move back to Northeastern after conferring with family and friends, including Rizzuto and Mulbah. He said he also will take the field for the Bobcats' boys' soccer team this fall.
"It's a bigger stage from a sports standpoint," he said. "I thought I could succeed in the classroom there, and in whatever sport I played."