Relief and pure joy are the words that can best describe Andre Chatfield’s official visit to Harvard.

Before returning on a flight to Atlanta, the Norcross High senior committed to Crimson basketball program and coach Tommy Amaker. Chatfield picked the Ivy League over Princeton, LSU and Tulane who visited him at Norcross. While those schools delivered their best message, Chatfield just had a better feel for Harvard.

“I just realized that this was the best situation for me both on the academic side and coach Amaker is a great coach,” said Chatfield, who has a 4.0 GPA. “I really feel comfortable with him. When I came up to Harvard I had a chance to meet the team and see myself in the environment I will be in next year.”

Prior to visiting Cambridge, MA, Chatfield was unsure what to expect. He thought Harvard’s roster was filled with intelligent players who only studied and played ball with little free time.

“After being with the team I got this feeling that I was really welcomed,” he said. “I just knew from then this was where I wanted to be. I am very excited and glad this is over. It takes a lot of stress off my hands.”

Chatfield took his official visit with his parents, Eric and Rene. They all walked away from the decision raving about Amaker and the Harvard community.

“If you look at the schools out there that are considered basketball schools don’t have the success Harvard is having now,” Eric Chatfield said. “He is going to get the best of both worlds. All the sacrifices and trying to get him to see the big picture I feel so much relief right now.

“He has not only picked a great school but we are going to be giving him to good people. He will be in good hands.”

The Chatfield’s know the road to this decision was not easy. Mr. Chatfield, who played at New Mexico, is still playing professional basketball overseas. He is not around for the day-to-day struggles his sons may encounter, as they have two younger children. He credits his wife for holding things down while he is hooping it up.

Mrs. Chatfield, who played at Georgia State, has always pushed the academic component and made sure Andre had balance.

“As a mom who wanted the best for their child, I don’t think it gets any better when it comes to Harvard when you talk about education,” she said. “At the end of the day a lot of people forget that it is about education and what they do after basketball. Basketball is not forever. It’s a huge portion but it doesn’t last forever. One day, the ball stops dribbling and he can say he has a degree from Harvard.”

While the family was visiting the Ivy League school they were also impressed with the high praise everyone had for the coaching staff.  They had a chance to experience this first hand throughout the July Live period as Amaker was always at Andre’s games regardless of how well the shooting guard played. So, sending him off toe play for Amaker is comforting.

“I think sometimes when you have a child like Andre, who is blessed to have options and especially at really good basketball schools you get caught up in what conference do they play in? How many championships they won? How many minutes will my child play," Mrs. Chatfield said. "You really forget about the day-to-day and your child being around really good people and how important that is."