The NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments are underway, and several stars from the Richmond area are ready to showcase their talents on the national stage.
As these athletes compete for glory, the pride of their hometowns shines through. Notably, Texas A&M forward Henry Coleman III, a product of Trinity Episcopal, has made a name for himself. Averaging 7.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, Coleman III contributed significantly to his team’s performance, managing 36 minutes in a second-round Southeastern Conference (SEC) tournament loss to Texas. The Aggies, seeded No. 4, are set to play Yale on March 20, 2025.
Meanwhile, Norfolk State's sophomore Chris Fields Jr., who honed his skills at Petersburg High School, is also making headlines. Fields Jr. has been a formidable force for the Spartans, averaging an impressive 8.2 points per game. He scored six points in Norfolk State's recent Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship victory against South Carolina State. The Spartans enter the tournament as a 16-seed and will face off against top-seed Florida on March 21, 2025.
Curtis Blair III, a redshirt freshman at Liberty from Steward, is heading to the tournament alongside his team, the Conference USA champions. At Steward, he was recognized as a three-time All-Metro first-team selection and dominated in his senior year with an average of 22 points per game. Liberty, seeded 12th, is set to take on fifth-seeded Oregon on March 21, 2025.
Alphonzo "Fats" Billups III from VCU has played in all 22 games this season for the Atlantic 10 champions. Billups III accumulated 67 points this season, with a season-high of 14 points in a win over Georgia Southern. He was a standout on Varina's championship team in 2022 and will be a key player as the 11th-seeded VCU faces sixth-seeded BYU on March 20, 2025.
Teammate Joe Bamisile, also from VCU, has been instrumental this season, averaging 15 points and 5 rebounds per game. Bamisile had a remarkable season-high of 25 points against Colorado State. His strong performance amid the competition makes him a player to watch as the Rams aim for success in the tournament.
On the women’s side, Jada Walker, a senior guard for Baylor and a Henrico alum, has been a significant contributor, averaging 11 points and 2.6 rebounds this season. Walker was celebrated in 2018 as a first-team All-Metro selection in high school. Baylor, seeded fourth, will play 11th-seeded Grand Canyon on March 21, 2025.
Jordan Hodges, a Liberty senior and also a Monacan alum, averages 6.5 points and 3 rebounds this year, having scored a season-high of 18 points against Arkansas. Hodges brings with her a wealth of experience, having accumulated 1,501 points at Monacan, where she was a first-team all-state selection throughout her high school career.
North Carolina features two key players making headlines: Lanie Grant from James River, who reclassified to join the Tar Heels a year early, and Grace Townsend, who has appeared in all 31 regular-season games while averaging 4.6 points. Townsend was recognized as Region 6A player of the year her senior year and was a two-time first-team all-state member. The Tar Heels, seeded third, will face 14th-seeded Oregon State on March 22, 2025.
In addition to NCAA highlights, Richmond has also been abuzz with local high school basketball championships. The VHSL Class 3 State Championship Game took place on March 15, 2025, featuring a fierce matchup between James Monroe and Lord Botetourt. Coaches Tameka Christopher of James Monroe and Renee Favaro of Lord Botetourt led their teams through thrilling moments during the game.
Lord Botetourt's Madilyn Winterton and her teammates celebrated their victory as they emerged champions in a nail-biting finale that underscored the talent of local athletes.
All in all, the local stars from Richmond, making significant contributions on the national stage, reflect the strength of high school basketball programs fueling the next generation of collegiate talent. From NCAA showdowns to state championships, the spotlight remains shining brightly on these promising athletes!
