Seton Hill product Trevor Blondin reaches goal of professional basketball contract

Plan B never was an option for Trevor Blondin.

The former Seton Hill basketball standout wanted to play his sport professionally.

Make that, expected to play his sport professionally.

“It’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid,” Blondin said. “Anybody that’s ever asked me, ‘What do you want to do with your life after college?’, I told them I wanted to play pro basketball. Their next question was usually something along the lines of, ‘Oh, OK, but what’s your backup plan?’

“I never had one because I envisioned this happening from Day 1 and spoke it into existence. I never had any doubt that I would accomplish this goal, and it’s nice to see it finally come to fruition.”

Blondin is primed to suit up for Korihait, a pro team that plays in Finland’s top division, which is called Korisliga. He signed a contract with Korihait, located in Uusikaupunki, and will make the long trek overseas later this week, quarantining once he arrives before joining his teammates in September.

A 2019 Seton Hill grad, the 6-foot-4 guard was a first-team All-PSAC West selection as a senior when he led the Griffins in scoring at 20 points per game.

Blondin’s size and ball-handling ability made him a challenge for defenders, and he could score inside and out.

Literally, he has climbed mountains to achieve his goal.

“I’ve been training hard and staying in great shape since the moment I left SHU,” he said. “I’ve been in Colorado for the last two weeks running up mountains and training at high altitudes to prepare for the season. The club found me through my agent.”

Sopimusuutisia! ?

Trevor Blondin Korihaiden takakentälle!

"Korihait saa minusta pelaajan, joka rakastaa taistella!" - Trevor Blondin

Welcome to Uusikaupunki Trevor! ?

?: https://t.co/sLLG4z2f7K#Korihait ? #Korisliiga #Uusikaupunki pic.twitter.com/YWU1aBc1I4

— Korihait (@Korihait) August 19, 2020

Blondin, who is from Haymarket, Va., about 30 minutes outside of Washington, D.C., does not envision an issue with any language barriers in Finland.

But he will adjust accordingly as he blends into the culture.

“A good percentage of people in Finland speak English, so I’m not overly concerned,” he said. “However, I do want to fully integrate myself into the community and society, which is impossible to do without knowing Finnish. So, I’ve downloaded a language app and challenged myself to learn the language and culture to the best of my ability. It’s a challenge that I’m really excited about.”

Blondin does not feel he has anything to prove. His focus and drive brought him this far, and he believes it can carry him further.

“My motivation is on a whole different level, and I wake up every day with a purpose that drives me to be great,” he said. “Externally, I don’t feel like I have to prove anything to anyone. Internally, I just want to prove to my club, my coaches, and my teammates that they’re getting a high-caliber player that’s going to have a great work ethic, help them win games, and be a high-character guy in the community.”

Blondin is the second Seton Hill player to sign a pro deal overseas this summer. Nate Davis, his former teammate, signed with a team in Germany in July. Another former teammate of Blondin, Kameron Taylor, also is playing in Germany.