Arundel's Brandon Belt makes his choice
For at least one year of college, Brandon Belt will be playing basketball close to home.
The 6-foot-3 shooting guard from Arundel has accepted a scholarship from Baltimore City Community College and is already enrolled in classes. Belt, a second-team All-Anne Arundel County selection as a senior, picked the Panthers over offers from Division II programs Gannon (Pa.) and Pace (N.Y.).
“I’m just glad that it’s over,” Belt said. “That was a long process, and I’m ready to start the work for the upcoming season.”
Belt, who transferred to Arundel from Southern before his senior year, averaged 14.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists for the Wildcats (18-4).
“Overall, he’s a very good athlete, just with his strength and his leaping ability,” said BCCC coach Terry Maczko. “He can get the basketball and just overpower people because he’s so strong. He’s got an advantage on a lot of guys who are freshmen in college from a strength perspective.”
Belt is fully qualified academically, meaning that he could transfer to a Division I school after his freshman year with the Panthers.
“I didn’t want to go to Division II,” Belt said. “After this year I think I can be a Division I player. That’s why I wanted to come to BCCC. Plus, they won the [Maryland] JUCO championship last year. ... They said if I come in and work hard, there’s no reason why I shouldn’t get playing time.”
Maczko said Belt will “absolutely” challenge for a starting role as a freshman. The BCCC coach is supportive of Belt’s wishes to transfer to a Div. I program – if he lands the right offer – after a year.
“It’s pretty nice because you get a feel for the whole college thing,” Belt said. “When I get to a university next year, I’ll already know what it’s about and be prepared. So I’ll be a step ahead of some people just coming in. ... [But] I’m just looking forward to coming in and working hard and earning my spot."
Baltimore Sun photo of Brandon Belt by Gene Sweeney Jr. / Jan. 8, 2010
