Hancock Basketball's Nolan Willett Signs with Thompson Rivers University

Allan Hancock College men's basketball player Nolan Willett has scored an opportunity to continue his career at a four-year university in his hometown of Calgary, Alberta. Willett signed a scholarship to play for Thompson Rivers University.

"I decided to come to TRU after meeting with Coach [Scott] Clark," said Willett in an article on the university's website. "He told me a lot of amazing things about the school. When I came to visit in late May, I was sold. It is a beautiful campus, the city is really nice. It was a great experience coming out here. The people here are very welcoming."

Willett played in 25 games for Hancock during the 2016-17 season as a freshman, including 22 starts. Overall, the guard averaged 7.8 points, 5.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game for the Bulldogs. He scored a career-high 16 points against Oxnard, and recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists against Cerro Coso. Willett averaged 8.9 points, 5.9 assists, 3.9 rebound and 2.0 steals during Hancock's 10 conference games under head coach Tyson Aye.

"We are all very excited for Nolan and his family on his signing to Thompsons River University," said Aye, who during his four years at Hancock has sent 16 former players to four-year universities. "TRU is getting a high academic, high character young man who will help solidify their backcourt and program for years to come. We will definitely miss him here at Hancock, but his Bulldog family is very proud of him and we can't wait to follow his journey at TRU."

After graduating from J Serra Catholic High School in California and playing a year at Hancock, Willett and his family are relocating to Calgary. Willett, who is a Canadian citizen, plans to major in sociology at TRU.

Willett will enter the Wolfpack program, which is under the direction of Clark. He coached the team in 2015-16 to the program's finest season that included its first Canada West divisional title, and a trip to the USports national championship.

"He definitely is a pass first, true point guard," said Clark, who enters his eighth season as head coach at TRU. "He fits right in with what we value as a basketball program. He is a good teammate and good person. Those are the types of players we are looking to attract."

According to the article, Willett visited both the University of Victoria and the University of Alberta and had offers from a number of schools before choosing to join the Wolfpack.

Willet said he was looking forward to being a part of the school's community service projects that include working with local youth.

"That is another reason why I picked this school. I am looking forward to being a 'big fish in a small pond' and helping aspiring young basketball players enjoy the sport that I love," said Willett.

The 6-foot-1 guard became the sixteenth Hancock student-athlete this year to sign with a four-year university. Two of Willett's teammates signed earlier this spring: Marcellus Garrick (Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo) and Dominic Jackson (Texas A&M International).