The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama — Romad Dean returned home to officially end his recruitment and announce his collegiate decision.

Dean will officially join the Fordham Rams (Bronx, New, York) of the Atlantic 10 Conference next fall to continue his athletic and academic career.

The 6’7” wing out of Crestwood Prep in Ontario, Canada, made the announcement last Friday at the place where his basketball career began - Tabernacle Baptist Academy.

Dean said he ultimately decided on Fordham and head coach Kyle Neptune because of the consistent interest shown and the relationships he forged with the staff.

“Coach [Kyle] Neptune coming from Villanova, a big school and a winning programme, they are looking for me to help and build a programme like that at Fordham,” he said. “They showed a lot of interest, always coming to my games, being supportive and checking in.” In his first season at the helm, Neptune led the Rams to a 16-16 record.

Dean credited his coaches at every level for playing various roles in his development, both at Tabernacle and Crestwood.

“When people turned their back God always showed me love and it will always be my character that defines me and I’m so grateful for all God has done for me,” he said.

“I want to thank Tabernacle and all the staff for helping me get here today. I also have to thank Crestwood for allowing me to learn and helping me to become a better person and for the support of all teachers that helped me to become better in the classroom.

“I have to thank coach Ro [Russell]. He saw the potential in me and a bright future. A lot of early mornings and late nights helped me build the foundation I have today. Coach [Kevin] Clarke was always instrumental to my development as an athlete. He was always hard on me for making simple mistakes, but he played a big role in getting me where I’m at today, going on trips with me to make sure I was good and made the right decision.”

Dean’s extended family was also on hand but he also highlighted his parents who joined him on stage to make his decision.

“I thank my dad for always being there for me, for always investing time in me, for making the effort in making sure that I become successful in life, and for giving me knowledge that would help with my career,” he said.

“I would like to thank my mom and I will always be grateful for everything she does for me. She goes out of her way every time to make sure that I get every thing that I need. She has always put me first and I know she always will.”

Dean reflected on his basketball journey which included being a student in the crowd when Franco Miller Jr made his collegiate decision at the Tabernacle campus in 2018.

“It is really a dream come true, at that moment I didn’t know if I would be here. I remember looking at Franco making his decision and I didn’t think it was possible for me,” Dean said.

“At that time I didn’t think I was a great basketball player, I was still developing, but everyone was pushing me and pushing because I think they saw the potential I had and I’m glad I was able to reach thay.

“Even to this day I still question myself, ‘Am I ready for DI?’ That’s why every day I go to the gym and I work out I have to make sure that I go 110 percent.”

Dean’s résumé includes a series of accolades, both during his tenure with Crestwood at the national team level.

The Lions recently finished as a semi finalist in the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association. Dean was named an OSBA Third Team-All Star after averaging 20 points and 18 rebounds per game.

Some of his top games for the year included 24 points and 13 rebounds in an 84-73 loss to United Scholastic Academy in the OSBA Semifinals, 28 points in a 97-89 win over Vanguard North Prep, 38 points in an 83-78 win over New Horizon Academy and 31 points in an early season 98-97 loss to United Scholastic.

As a junior, Dean helped lead the Lions to win the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations Boys Basketball AAA Gold medal. He averaged 14.1 points, 13.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. He led the team in both rebounds and blocks.

He was also nominated for Canada’s premier prep basketball showcase as one of 198 players named to the BioSteel All Canadian Games - 2020 Boys Nominees List.

Dean has been a member of both senior and junior national teams.

At the senior level he was a member of the team that finished the FIBA World Cup 2023 Americas Pre-Qualifiers for Group A with an undefeated 3-0 record in El Salvador.

As a junior, he scored the go-ahead field goal to lift Team Bahamas to a bronze medal at the 2019 FIBA U17 Centrobasket Championships.

For the tournament, Dean averaged a double-double with 14.2 points and 11.4 rebounds per game.