After four years as a ERHS Raider, senior basketball player Ishmail Jabbie has made plans to readjust as a Retriever. A little earlier this week Jabbie publicly announced his commitment to join the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) this fall.

UMBC, Catholic University, and Temple University were all top choices on a list of the numerous colleges Jabbie was accepted into and, as to be expected, he struggled to decide on which to attend next school year. Jabbie said he finally committed to UMBC because he felt as if it were the best choice for himself. “It’s a good option for me academically and athletically,” said Jabbie, explaining that his decision came with the consideration of UMBC’s Division Ⅰ basketball team, its great academic programs, and its close proximity to his family and friends.

Jabbie said basketball is his passion and though he will play for UMBC, he has opted not to force it as a career. He says that he understands “that there is life after basketball,” so he will continue to “keep working and if the opportunity presents itself [he’ll] take it and if not,” he’ll find comfort and pride in knowing he did the best he could.

Jabbie was offered several academic scholarships as well. He has managed to balance basketball and good grades as a result of his competitive spirit and with the help of his parents who have “always stressed school first,” he said. He will be attending UMBC as a part of the Meyerhoff Scholar Program.

Looking back, he says he has changed both as a player and a person; he now understands the value of family and friends. Starting off at ERHS as a freshman on the junior varsity basketball team and leaving as senior captain of the varsity basketball team, he says it has taught him “leadership, responsibility and ownership” as he “wore [his] jersey and played [his] heart out this year.”

Senior Doyin Fadojutimi, who played alongside Jabbie this year, characterized Jabbie as a leader who is both humble and down-to-earth. Fadojutimi says he “loved having [Jabbie] as a captain” and that Jabbie “is very bright and talented: two very good keys to success.”

Jabbie expressed his hope that the future will bring about success. He said he wants to pursue a doctorate degree, in case basketball does not work out in his favor, and plans to major in either mathematics or mechanical engineering. More specifically, he said that his hope is to further his growth as an individual and to develop connections and networks with other people at UMBC.

“If I have success at UMBC like I’ve been blessed to at ERHS then I’ll be fine,” said Jabbie.