Peabody’s AJ Forte is averaging 8.5 points per game on 41.5 percent shooting at Endicott College. (Kaeli Talora – Endicott College)

BEVERLY — Peabody’s AJ Forte is making himself known as a star basketball player for Endicott College’s men’s basketball team – and he’s only a freshman.

Forte, who was a multisport athlete at Peabody High School, said it was a difficult decision having to choose between playing collegiate-level soccer or basketball. 

Currently a freshman at the Beverly-based college, Forte said he found himself quickly transitioning into his new environment. 

“I expected to be super overwhelmed here compared to Peabody, but I think I’m doing pretty well,” he said.  

Forte’s athletic career in Peabody may have made that transition much smoother. The 5’11, 160-pound guard scored 1223 points during his four years at Peabody High.

Although he now lives less than 5 miles away from home, Forte says his life took a meaningful shift when he arrived at Endicott in August 2024, but he visits home often and doesn’t forget where he came from.  

“I miss Peabody, I got to play with these kids that I grew up with. They were my best friends,” said Forte. 

Forte’s impact on the Peabody athletics program helped him develop largely as a player, as it’s not just every day an athlete wins All Conference both junior and senior year, in addition to joining the 1000-point club during one’s senior season. Forte also won All-Conference for his Boy’s varsity soccer team his senior year, which solidified his status as a valuable athlete at Peabody. 

Thad Broughton, Peabody’s varsity boy’s basketball head coach called Forte a “role model” to both fellow Peabody High athletes as well as younger fans. Peabody youth,  former high school teammates, and even former teachers show up to Forte’s games at Endicott. 

“Anthony [AJ] is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever coached,” Broughton said. “[He was the] model of everything we wanted as a Peabody athlete.” Forte was part of the Honor Society at Peabody, and Forte has maintained a 3.7 GPA in his first semester in college..

Forte’s academic and athletic discipline is not surprising to Endicott College Men’s Basketball head coach Kevin Bettencourt., who is also a Peabody native. 

“AJ has a really good chance of being successful in all areas at Endicott,” said Bettencourt.  

This summer, Forte plans to continue to play basketball with the local P2P league. AJ  He is also looking for opportunities to coach younger players in Peabody.

“I want to give back to the community that gave me so much. It means a lot that I am where I am today because of the people who helped me.”

Forte, an Accounting major,  says he’s not sure what exactly life after college will hold for him, but for now, he’s committed to playing basketball, and working his way to join Endicott basketball starting five.

“Working hard is my biggest focus right now. I love this sport,” he said. 

https://itemlive.com/2025/02/13/peabodys-forte-flying-high-with-endicott-gulls