Terry Nolan Jr. talks about his commitment to George Washington

A little over two weeks ago, three-star guard Terry Nolan Jr. announced that the University of Chattanooga granted his release from the program. The former Mt. Carmel star who averaged 17 points per game last season, committed back in September to the Mocs. After head coach Matt McCall made the announcement that he would leave the school to take on the head coaching job at UMass, it forced Nolan Jr. to reevaluate his decision. Nolan Jr. had formed a close relationship with assistant coach Kevin Easley, who also left the program. Since he had already signed his letter of intent, Nolan Jr. had a choice to make: remain committed and role the dice that he would happen to fit in with the eventual new head coach's system, or request his release and re-open his recruitment. https://twitter.com/terrynolanjr/status/851547761589833728 Nolan Jr. decided to do the latter. There's always a chance that for whatever reason, the respective university doesn't grant a player their release, but fortunately for Nolan Jr., that wasn't the case. Almost immediately, a ton of schools started contacting people close with Nolan Jr. to capitalize as quickly as possible. I was told from a source close to Nolan Jr. that a number of A-10 schools including VCU, George Washington and George Mason were hoping to schedule a visit. The day that his release was made official, George Washington was the first to offer Nolan Jr. They followed through by scheduling a visit that occurred this past Sunday and Monday where Nolan Jr. and his family spent time with newly named head coach Maurice Joseph, his staff and the team. Before the visit concluded, Nolan Jr. made his decision that George Washington was the place for him. "The point in the visit where I decided was one of the dinners when we were talking and laying everything out," Nolan Jr. told PrepHoops. "I felt really comfortable with the team. I felt like I've known them forever. They made it like a family, and that's what I'm all about, family. Even the coaches cherish relationships and that's what I'm about." Nolan Jr. has an extremely strong supporting cast that start with his parents. The fact that he will be closer to home will ensure that they'll be in attendance as much as they can to watch their son live out his dreams. "One concern about me going to school in Tennessee was that I was pretty far away," Nolan Jr. said. "It makes me happy that my family and friends can come to all of the games." At George Washington, Nolan Jr. will be apart of a very young roster. The Colonials graduate only two seniors and had six freshman and two sophomores from last season's team. In most cases, a player who is evaluating what school to attend looks on the roster with hopes that there will be a few key seniors leaving so the opportunity for playing time will be there. For Nolan Jr., the young roster is actually what was most attractive. "The young roster appealed to me," Nolan Jr. said. "With us being a year or two apart, they were just in my shoes so they can help me adjust and we can grow together." Not only are the players on the roster young, Coach Joseph is the youngest head coach in a Top 10 RPI Conference. Coach Joseph took over as head coach last season and finished with a 10-8 conference record. The Colonials ended the season strong with five consecutive wins including games against Dayton, St. Louis, and Richmond. As a player, Joseph played for Hall of Fame head coach Tom Izzo at Michigan State before transferring to Vermont to finish his two years of eligibility. "He's a guy that's all about passion," said Nolan Jr. on Joseph. "He's 31 years old, so he's basically like one of us. He's really big on relationships and family and working your way up. Whatever he does, it's in your best interest. Regardless, he's a guys that will have your back and will run a through a wall for his players." Nolan Jr. looks forward to the chance of helping a young Colonial team getting back into the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in school history.