BY KAMERON CHATMAN
VN STAFF WRITER
With Detroit Mercy’s basketball season less than a month away, one of the biggest question marks surrounding this year’s team has been cleared up: star forward Jaleel Hogan will remain a Titan.
Following the conclusion of last season, Hogan posted on his private Instagram account that he would transfer from the university. Although the post was deleted, it was picked up by local media and fan message boards.
The loss would have been huge. Last season as a junior, Hogan averaged a team-high 15.2 points per game and was second on the team in rebounding with 5.8 per game.
The speculation was cleared up, though, when Hogan was listed on the team’s 2017-18 roster.
The Detroit News reported the it was an academic issue. An athletic department spokesman declined to comment on Hogan’s situation, and Hogan, in an interview, did not directly address it.
“It feels great to be back on the court and play the game I love,” Hogan said. “Not only do I get to play another year of basketball, but I get another year to play with my brothers. I love these guys.”
Many of his teammates are excited to have him back on the team as well.
“It feels really good to have him back out here with us,” said sophomore guard Jacob Joubert. “It didn’t feel the same without him but now we feel complete and we can continue to get ready for this year.”
Expectations are high for the Titans, who are coming off an 8-23 season. They were picked to finish fourth in the league, and when the league announced preseason awards earlier this month, Hogan earned second team all-Horizon League honors. Allen earned second-team honors, too.
“I must admit I'm honored and I’m happy about being recognized but I don’t really care about that, I just want to win” Hogan said. “None of that really matters to me if we don’t win, so that’s what matters most and that’s what I’m focusing on.”
With the resurrection of Hogan and the new pieces added to this Detroit Mercy team many people are excited to see what they are going to do this upcoming season.
The Titans kick off the season Nov. 4 with an exhibition game against Wayne State University at Calihan Hall. The first regular season game is Nov. 10 at Virginia Tech.
Chatman is a member of the men's basketball team.
