by Matt Delaney

George Mason’s varsity boys basketball program’s all-time leading scorer and recently minted Mustang alumnus Robert Tartt signed his letter of intent to play basketball for Marymount University on Monday, June 27.

Tartt led the Mustangs to a historic 29-0 record this past season before falling in the 2A state semifinals. Now, he makes a brief three mile trip to play for the Arlington-based Division III school, ensuring his roots remain in the Northern Virginia area throughout his college years. Though short in distance, the move was big for Tartt and his family, who were on hand to watch him fulfill his dream.

“It’s a really big deal for us,” he said. “I’ve wanted to go to school to play basketball for a long time.”

Positive impressions from head coach Chris Rogers and a roster that shared qualities with Tartt’s Mason teams coaxed him into committing to Marymount after an initial period of indecision. Safe to say Tartt’s 1,186 career points for Mason will be welcomed with open arms by the Saints, who went 10-15 and failed to average more than 70 points per game last season.

Still, Tartt does have a learning curve to overcome. His listed height of 6’1 was small even for a high school forward, but Tartt compensated for it with tenacity, strength and a nose for the basket. That won’t suffice in collegiate competition, so Tartt has begun transitioning to guard.

While excited about bringing his confident attitude and on-court leadership to Marymount this winter, Tartt recognizes that Mason’s basketball program helped shape his understanding of what the game is about.

“Definitely, the community; the family,” he said. “Our freshman and sophomore year we were horrible, but our junior and senior everything just started to come together because we’d been together so long. I’m gonna miss that, but I know I’m also going to get something similar at Marymount.”