UVI Men's Basketball Well Represented on International Stage at the 2026 FISU America Games

ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS July 19, 2026 — The University of the Virgin Islands men's basketball program will be represented on the international stage this summer as Head Coach Kevin Sheppard, current student-athlete Chad Molloy, and former Buccaneers Brandon Rasmussen and Amayoa'ah Phillips have been selected to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands at the 2026 FISU America Games in Lima, Peru.

The FISU America Games, scheduled for July 20–August 1, features the top university student-athletes from North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean to compete in an Olympic-style, multi-sport event representing their countries. The Games are organized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), the global governing body for university sports.

Sheppard, who is entering his third season as head coach of the Buccaneers, will lead the U.S. Virgin Islands University team as head coach. His selection marks a return to the FISU stage, having competed in the 2000 Central American and Caribbean University Games as a student athlete, where he helped his team capture a gold medal.

Molloy, who will return for his third season in a Buccaneer uniform this fall, earned his selection after serving as the team's captain and starting point guard during the 2025-26 season. The 6-foot-1 guard started all 17 contests for UVI, averaging 10.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game while establishing himself as one of the team's leaders on both ends of the floor.

Rasmussen and Phillips will also represent the Virgin Islands after successful collegiate careers with the Buccaneers.

Rasmussen competed for UVI as a graduate student during the 2025-26 season and concluded his collegiate career by earning selection to the HBCU All-Star Game in San Antonio, Texas, where he represented the Buccaneers in April.

Phillips was a member of the Buccaneers during the 2024-25 campaign and made an immediate impact, leading his team in scoring and earning All-HBCUAC Second Team honors in his lone season with the program.

The current and former Buccaneers will be joined by fellow Virgin Islanders Ajani Blyden of Georgetown College, Deandre Thompson of Southeast Arkansas College, Hasani Rivera of Georgia Southwestern State University, Jalen Greenidge of Springfield Technical Community College, Kehjayah Rogers of Faulkner University, and K'hamani Olivacce of the College of Marin.

The U.S. Virgin Islands will begin competition on Tuesday, July 21, as it opens tournament play in Peru with its sights set on a gold-medal finish.