Basketball fans in Maine hoping to see former South Portland star Keegan Hyland play in Orono will get that chance.
Once a year.
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Hyland chose America East rival Vermont over the University of Maine on Sunday and plans to enroll before the second semester begins Jan. 18.
That would make Hyland eligible to play for the Catamounts next December, immediately after next fall’s first semester. He spent this fall at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., but left school after suffering a knee injury, a concussion and a bout of homesickness.
“I wasn’t even sure (Sunday) morning what I was going to do,” said Hyland, who visited Vermont on Thursday and saw the Catamounts beat Albany before a crowd of 2,270 at Patrick Gymnasium.
A 6-foot-3-inch guard, Hyland is South Portland’s career scoring leader despite missing all but three games of his senior season with a hairline fracture of his pelvis. He strongly considered Vermont before signing with Gonzaga and has known the UVM coaching staff for two years.
“The school is great academically and the kids on the team were great,” he said, also mentioning the exciting atmosphere at Patrick Gym during a time when students are on break. “It was packed even without the kids there, so I thought that was pretty cool.”
Hyland called Maine Coach Ted Woodward on Sunday afternoon before informing Vermont Coach Mike Lonergan of his decision.
“There was a lot of things Maine brought to the table as well,” Hyland said. “I love the coaching staff, love the players and it would have been cool to play in-state, but I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity in Vermont to contribute on a really, really good team right away and have a chance to do something special there.”
Vermont lost Sunday afternoon at Boston University but is 11-4 overall and 7-0 at home. Maine is 8-7. The Black Bears travel to Burlington, Vt., for a game next week, on the first night Hyland will be a student at UVM, where he plans to major in business.
Even though Gonzaga released Hyland from his scholarship, NCAA rules prohibit him playing for another Division I program for the next two semesters. He will have three full years of eligibility remaining after next season.
He said he will get settled in Burlington later this week.
“As soon as I get there I can start practicing,” he said. “If I can finally stay healthy for an extended period of time to get back into game shape and practicing with the guys every day and playing pickup everyday, it will be great.
“That will push me to get back for next December.”
Staff Writer Glenn Jordan can be contacted at 791-6425 or at:
gjordan@pressherald.com
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