TFT Contributing Writer
Atlanta, GA – In a story of perseverance and self-belief, local 6’6’’ wing Sean Van Dorn Jr. has committed to Georgia Southern University on a full Division I basketball scholarship. Van Dorn Jr.’s path to this achievement is remarkable: once an unranked high school player, he stayed focused, trusted the process, and transformed himself into a D1-bound athlete through years of hard work and high-level competition.
From an early age, Van Dorn Jr. set ambitious goals. In 6th grade, he vowed to make the varsity team as a freshman – a goal he achieved at Fayette County High School. As a sophomore, he not only made varsity but became a key contributor to the team, scoring 21 points in a state playoff game to send his team to the Final Four. That season marked the first of many notable achievements for Van Dorn Jr. At the end of that year, he set his sights on winning a state title before graduation, a promise he fulfilled after transferring to Tri-Cities High School (East Point, GA) to play under Coach Omari Forts, a two-time state champion coach known for building winning programs. Van Dorn Jr. joined a talented Tri-Cities squad and became a key contributor on the wing. In March 2025, Tri-Cities captured the Georgia 5A state championship, the school’s third title in seven years. Van Dorn Jr. played a pivotal role, scoring 18 points in the championship game (including 11 in the fourth quarter) to help secure the victory.
Despite not appearing in the national recruiting rankings, Van Dorn Jr. didn’t let the lack of hype deter him. He sharpened his skills on the AAU circuit, joining the Anthony Edwards Five (AE5) 3SSB travel team – an Adidas-sponsored elite club named after NBA star Anthony Edwards. There, he faced top competition and proved himself against some of the nation’s best. Seeking tougher competition, Van Dorn Jr. transferred to Rock Creek Christian Academy in Maryland for his junior year to play a national schedule with their first-time national program. The experience sharpened his skills and prepared him for the critical NCAA live evaluation periods. Over the spring and summer of 2024, Van Dorn Jr.’s game truly blossomed – his production was on full display for college scouts. In one summer showcase, he led his AAU squad in scoring with 13 points to win a Battle For Georgia tournament quarterfinal, out-dueling a team of highly touted prospects. His combination of positional size, slashing ability, and improved outside shooting consistently impressed observers. By the end of the summer, the once-overlooked wing had caught the attention of Division I coaches.
TFT Contributing Writer

TFT Contributing Writer

