Syracuse senior Jen Hazlett had all the normal requirements for the college hoping to land her as a basketball player. Did she like the coaches? What were the other players like? Did the school fit her academic needs?

And then there was the more unusual aspect of her college search - just which branch of the military did she want to work for when she'd earned her college degree?

As it turns out, Hazlett will serve in the Army after attending The United States Military Academy at West Point on a basketball scholarship.

"I went to the Naval Academy and then, after I went to West Point, I cancelled my visit to Air Force," she said. "I'm so excited. The coaches are awesome. I'm so happy."

Hazlett is a quick, athletic and versatile player who helped Syracuse High to the semi-finals of last year's 5A state tournament.

Her father is in the Air Force, so she said her parents are very supportive of her decision to make a career in the military.

"After graduation, I will have a job," she said. "There aren't too many things to worry about when you go to an academy."

She'd discussed flying fighter jets but said attending West Point will probably mean flying helicopters instead.

"My parents were really happy for me," she said. "They're excited too."

Her club volleyball coach expects she'll have a positive impact both on and off the court.

"Jen is a tremendous athlete and a great basketball player," said Dave Hammer, coach of Salt Lake Metro.