UVI Men’s Basketball Leads Two NAIA Statistical Categories
ST. THOMAS, VI, December 20, 2024 – Out of the 200 institutions that field men's basketball teams in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men's basketball team sits atop the leaderboard in two statistical categories. The undersized Buccaneers take great pride in their defensive prowess, which is evident in their impressive performance on the court.
UVI, led by head Coach Kevin Sheppard, currently holds the top spot in the NAIA for steals per game, averaging an impressive 12.4 takeaways per contest. Following closely behind is Louisiana State-Shreveport with an average of 12.1 steals per game. The Buccaneers have recorded double-digit steals in all but one game this season, with a season-high of 16 steals coming against Keiser University, the 21st-ranked team in the NAIA Men's Basketball Coaches Top 25 Poll.
The success of the UVI on the defensive end of the floor can be attributed to the play-making ability of key players senior guard Jalil Langston, junior guard Amayoa'ah Phillips, and sophomore guard Khaleed Heywood. Langston and Heywood are currently tied for second place in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) averaging 2.6 steals per game, making them tied for 14th overall in the nation. Phillips is not far behind, ranking fifth in the HBCUAC with an average of 2.4 steals per game.
In addition to their dominance in steals, UVI's stifling defense also leads the nation for opponents' turnovers per game. On average, the Buccaneers force their opponents into committing 19.9 turnovers per matchup. The team achieved a high of 18 forced turnovers in two games this season, against Keiser University and conference foe Wilberforce University.
The University of the Virgin Islands Men's basketball team's exceptional performance in these defensive categories has solidified their position as a force to be reckoned with defensively in the NAIA.
