After spending the current school year as a “redshirt” freshman with the Div. I University of Maine at Orono men’s basketball program, Washburn’s Mitch Worcester has decided to transfer.
Worcester, a Maine Mr. Basketball finalist in 2013 who owns his high school’s scoring record with 2,000-plus points, said six Div. III programs are on his radar for the 2014-15 school year, including in-state schools UM-Fort Kent, UM-Presque Isle, University of Southern Maine, UM-Machias and Husson University, as well as Johnson State College in Vermont.
As a redshirt, Worcester was not eligible to play in any games for the Black Bears, but he did practice with the team and attended home games and traveled to road contests.
“My freshman year was a big learning experience for me I would say, not only with sports, but academically as well. Learning to be self-motivated to do your studies wasn’t always an easy task. I have learned that you have to put a lot of work into your studies just as much as basketball. That was a big change for me,” Worcester said.
“Socially, I love it [at Orono] because there are so many people to talk to and form new friendships. Its going to be tough to leave not only my teammates behind, but also the people who I have had a relationship with outside of basketball,” he added.
He said in addition to the prospect of getting more playing time at the Div. III level, college costs and the chance to pursue a physical education degree at a school with smaller class sizes are other factors in the move.
Due to his experience with the Black Bears, Worcester feels he’ll be able to contribute right away at the college he chooses to attend.
“I think that I know more about the game,” he said. “I’ve got a higher basketball IQ after playing with some great players and I know what it takes to be a Div. I player and can take that to a Div. III school and help my teammates get better.”
