We are recalling all foreign players that have ever played in the League, telling about foreign championships and National teams of different countries in World basketball map project. Today we will tell about basketball in the United States Virging Islands.
Population: 106K
Players in the history of League: 3
Full list of players: Cuthbert Victor, Walter Hodge, Frank Elegar.
Frank Elegar is the most famous Virgin Islands player in history of VTB United League. The center have spent 5 seasons in the League representing 3 teams: Kalev, Enisey and Lokomotiv-Kuban. He played in two All-Star Games, won 2018 Slam Dunk Contest and was season’s best rebounder three times. Moreover, Elegar still holds the record for career double-doubles (25).
The only player who was actually born at the Virgin Islands – Cuthbert Victor – played in the League from 2013 to 2015 for Krasnyi Oktyabr. Walter Hodge, a citizen of three states (Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, USA), was one of Zenit leaders in 2014/15 season.
All three played for Virgin Islands national team in different years and won Centrobasket and the Caribbean medals.
Basketball in Virgin Islands
League: ABA
Founded: –
Number of teams: 6
League’s web-site: –
There are 6 teams in Virgin Islands league: One Unity, T.W.J., Jam Squad, Heavy Hitters and VI Finest. Only local players are the teams’ squads.
League champion is decided in best of 5 finals format. Plus there are individual awards, such as regular season MVP, final series MVP and fair play prize.
In the middle of the season, ABA holds the All-Star Game that features East vs West.
Interesting fact
Legendary Tim Duncan was born in the Virgin Islands. He left his hometown St. Croix when he was 17, to move to the US and enroll in university.
The United States Virgin Islands National team
FIBA Rank: 51
FIBA members: since 1964
Achievements: Caribbean gold medals (2002, 2011, 2015), 5-time America Cup participants
XXI century is the highlight time for the Virgin Islands national teams. Since 2001, the team have won three Caribbean cups, two Centrobasket medals and participated in 5 America cups.
In 2006, at Centrobasket playoffs the Virgin Islands national team smashed Puerto Rico (85:84), at 2008 Centrobasket group stage, they stopped Dominican Republic (83:74) led by Al Horford, and knocked Canada out of 2017 America Cup playoffs (83:71).
Today, the Virgin Islands team are ranked 51st in FIBA rating (11th among 38 American teams).
The most famous players in history of the United States Virgin Islands
Walter Hodge. 2-times NCAA champion, 2013 Eurocup top scorer, champion of Poland, Puerto Rico and Lebanon. In 2011, Hodge led his national team to the golden medals of the Caribbean cup.
Cuthbert Victor. 2-time Caribbean champion and 2-time Centrobasket medalist. Was the best stealing player in 2013/14 VTB League.
Frank Elegar. 2-time VTB League All-Star Game participant, 2-time Estonia league champion, 3-time VTB League best rebounder, 2018 All-Star Slam Dunk winner. In 2006, Elegar won Centrobasket silver medals.
Kevin Sheppard. In 2002, Sheppard played 2 games for Virgin Islands football national team with 2 goals, and later switched to basketball. He won the golden medals of the Caribbean cup and two silvers of Centrobasket.
Kitwana Raymer. 2 silver medals of Centrobasket. Played in the leagues of Venezuela, Netherlands, Dominican Republic, New Zealand, Romania and Ukraine.
Dmitriy Kolinov
