The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

FOR the second consecutive year, Bahamian collegiate basketball player Jay Phillippe has been honoured for his work on the court and in the classroom.

Phillippe, of Weber State University, was named NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Scholar-Athlete.

In order to be nominated by an institution's head coach, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved a junior academic status to qualify for this honour.

"It means a lot to me," Phillippe said. "It means a sense of achievement and that hard work in the classroom is as equal or even more important than my work ethics on the hardwood."

The NAIA announced that 106 Division II Men's Basketball student-athletes were named 2011 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes.

Weber led all institutions with five student athletes on the list, including Nkonglo Kianga, Like Marlar and Tyler Auerbacher.

"It goes out to show that basketball and classwork goes hand-in-hand. Younger athletes must realize that academics should be our priority then sports should follow. Secondly, it also brings again a sense of achievement for the hard work that younger athletes display in the classroom and this is something that can never be taken away," Phillippe said. "It's important to understand that 'wisdom' and 'knowledge' last a lifetime and young athletes should strive for a higher education at all times."

Phillippe made his mark during his high school career with the CC Sweeting Cobras and transferred to the Sunland Baptist Stingers just before his senior season. He began his collegiate career in 2007 with the Virginia Intermount College where he averaged eight points and three assists during his lone season with the Cobras.

After sitting out nearly an entire season due to transfer complications, Phillippe played at a collegiate showcase in Orlando, Florida, where he was noticed by Weber head coach John Schoffner.

"At first there was doubt but, after time, things seem to fall in place. I had to sit out the previous year due to transfer rules and during that time I was able to build strong bonds with my teammates, coaches and professors," he said. "Now I am comfortable at my new school and I'm embracing every moment of this opportunity because I realize that I am blessed to be in this position of gaining a higher education while playing the game of basketball which is my love. I'm humble and grateful and I would not trade this for the world."

His final season at the collegiate level ended in a run at the Conference tournament but Phillippe continues to look ahead as he plans to make major moves in his basketball career.

The 5'10" senior point guard averaged 6.2 points and 3.4 assists per game.

"I'll be an assistant coach next year in the men's basketball programme. I'll be able to bring leadership, being in a position to help them after playing college basketball for four years. Being a point guard, the floor general, I know what it is to control all aspects of the game and that's just my personality.

"A lot of guys tend to gravitate towards me. I'm a people's person so I'll be a players coach," he said. "I still plan on working out and playing overseas next year. I will be talking to an agent who should be working on some things for me, targeting either Italy or the Middle East to play."

Weber International finished the season with an 11-16 record and finished 8th in The Sun Conference with a 4-12 record after defeating Florida Memorial in the wildcard matchup to advance to the conference tournament.