Heslip Settling in at B.C.
Brady Heslip’s stay at the New Hampton School was a brief but important one.
Heslip arrived at New Hampton this fall as a post-graduate after having verbally committed to Boston College in August, but the Canadian native never got the chance to finish his year as he left to enroll at B.C. at mid-year.
“I loved it there,” Heslip said of New Hampton, “the guys on the team, the community, the people at the school, Coach Hutchins, I loved everything about it, but there was a scholarship available here [Boston College] and the coaches really wanted me to come.”
Heslip was on the bench Tuesday night for arguably B.C.’s biggest win of the year as they knocked off 21st ranked Clemson on the Eagles’ home court in Chestnut Hill.
While Heslip is in uniform and academically eligible, he is red-shirting this semester, meaning that he won’t see any action during games but is eligible to dress, practice, and participate in all team activities.
“Ultimately, this is going to work out better for me in the long run,” Heslip said. “I can get my body ready for the ACC, develop an understanding of the system, and get some college courses under my belt.”
While Heslip won’t be checking into any games before next season, his value on this team is more than you might think. Prior to Heslip’s arrival junior Biko Paris was the only true point guard on the team and so Heslip has stepped right in to go against Paris on a daily basis and run the team’s second unit.
“Basically my role is just the same as every other guy on the team,” he said. “I do the same drills, when we scrimmage I play, and when I get the chance to run the team I do it. I’m just contributing in practice and trying to make the guys better.”
While Heslip is excited to be at B.C., having to leave New Hampton a little early was bitter sweet.
“I really did love it there,” he said. “Coach Hutchins is a ridiculously good coach. He was up at 6am every day working me out and even though I was only there for a semester it was as important as any year could have been.”
Brady Heslip