Remember when Jack Velcamp, the 18-year-old with dwarfism, scored a basket on senior night for the Rumson-Fair Haven High School boys basketball team last winter?

Well, Velcamp had a great summer, too.

The 4-foot-2 Velcamp got into his No. 1 choice of colleges, Monmouth University, and landed the coveted job of student-manager for the Hawks' Division I men's basketball team.

With his legend firmly entrenched in Rumson-Fair Haven lore, the Bulldog sports community is excited for Velcamp's new opportunity.

"I couldn't be happier for him," Rumson-Fair Haven basketball coach Chris Champeau said. Velcamp was manager for Champeau's team. "Like any other player when they get to play Division I basketball, to be part of a Division I program, especially one that's local, I feel that Jack has earned the right to be part of a program like that."

Velcamp got the chance to meet Monmouth University coach King Rice at a summer camp held by Champeau on the campus of the West Long Branch school.

MORE: Velcamp's dream comes true on emotional Senior Night at Rumson-Fair Haven

The camp conflicted with a graduation party being held for Velcamp. Should family and friends be made to wait for the guest of honor? Velcamp said it was an easy decision to make.

“I came to Monmouth because anything I can do here beats graduation parties,” Velcamp said.

After Velcamp received his acceptance letter from Monmouth on March 31, Champeau asked his former manager if he’d like to help out the Hawks. Champeau reached out to Rice, and Velcamp got the job.

“I feel honored to be manager of the team,” Velcamp said. “The role of manager is similar to being a player. You’re not on the court, your’re not playing, but you’re part of the team in a different way. I can’t wait to be a part of the team in a different way and help as much as I can.”

Monmouth is Velcamp’s ideal school. There was no other school Velcamp seriously considered during the application process. He only applied to Monmouth.

When he earned his acceptance to the university, his emotions overcame him.

“When I got the acceptance letter, I was honored and so happy, I cried for like two hours,” Velcamp said. “This is my dream school. To be able to work with the basketball team is an honor. I wanted to be a part of it so badly.”

Velcamp's basketball career started when Champeau asked him to join the squad as team manager when he was in fourth grade. He held that position through high school.

His role on the team peaked when last winter, Velcamp entered a game for the Bulldogs on Senior Night. With 3:49 left in the first quarter, a packed house erupted when Velcamp knocked down the first bucket of his high school career.

Velcamp appears poised to succeed at the next level given his helpful and selfless personality. The new manger can't thank Champeau and Rice enough for the opportunities they've given him.

When Champeau offered Velcamp a few bucks for helping him with camp after graduation, Velcamp refused the offer. He said Champeau had paid him enough by allowing him to be a part of what he believes is the best team in the world.

And he couldn't be more eager to start his new gig. Champeau remembers when that exuberance became clear.

On the first day of Champeau's camp this summer, Velcamp showed up to the Monmouth campus donning the purple and white of the Bulldogs. By day two, Velcamp had a wardrobe change and was now wearing the navy and white of the Hawks, from head to toe.

"I said, 'wow, that didn't take long,'" Champeau said with a laugh. "In a stretch of 24 hours, he transitioned right into Monmouth basketball. He was laughing, and we were happy for him, but I was like, 'wow, Jack, you got over us that quick?' He's going to inspire a lot of people."

Daniel LoGiudice: @danny_logiudice; dlogiudice@gannettnj.com