Why did you choose to attend Fairfield University/ play your sport at Fairfield University?
Basketball saved my life and gave me purpose.  As I fell in love with the game, I knew my future would somehow be built around it. Fairfield offered me a full ride, which led me to come to campus for a tour. Nothing highlighted the campus more than the time I spent with those I would later call my brothers (men's basketball teammates) for life. I was with the men's basketball team for just an hour, and it already felt like I had known them forever. They just made me feel so comfortable and welcomed. It did not take me long at all to choose Fairfield as my "home" for the next four years and become part of the Stags family. 


What is your favorite Fairfield memory or some of your favorite memories as a student/student-athlete?
When it comes to playing basketball at Fairfield, there are two moments that really stand out as my favorite moments. The first is when we got our first win while I was a first-year student-athlete. It was 2015, and we were playing Sacred Heart in Webster Arena. There are just no words to describe how we were all feeling after that win, I could just see on all of my teammates' faces that we all knew that this was the beginning of something great. Another memorable moment for me was playing my last game with the team at Alumni Hall in 2019 against Marist. I had been playing as a Stag for four years, and I felt emotional as it was coming to an end, and grateful for the experience and my team. After I scored 22 points during the game, which we won, Coach Johnson called me off the court, and I knew that it was the last time I would be walking off, the last time I would run over that Stag logo on the center court. As I was jogging off, everyone from the bench and in the stands started clapping, cheering, and even shedding tears. As I approached the bench, I hugged my coach and my teammates. Although that was not our best year, I just felt like I was part of something great that brought people together. When it comes to memorable moments at Fairfield outside of my sport, there are three that really stand out for me. The first took place during my first-year. I was not a shy person, so as people walked by I would say "hello." There was this event in the residential Quad in which all first-year students gathered and were encouraged to meet each other. I met so many people, from different backgrounds and experiences, and learned so much about other first-year students. It was just a great experience that brought me closer to the Fairfield community. 

The second very memorable moment was attending the 2018 Fairfield Awards Dinner and having the honor to listen to a speech by Aliyah Phipps '18, captain of the Stags cheer team. Her story inspired me, and I just felt connected to her. She came from humble beginnings and was able to accomplish so much. Being able to see and hear a fellow Black student's story served as motivation and inspiration for others, including myself. I was just so proud of her, and I'll always remember that feeling. 
My third memorable moment at the University was being part of the student organization, Weeeepa! "Wepa" is a popular Latin-American term that is used to express joy and excitement, and this Latin and Caribbean student club taught the Fairfield community traditional dances through fun approaches. While part of this student group, I learned Latin dances like bachata, salsa, and merengue, and we would later perform them at various events. It was so much fun because I love to dance, and I'll never forget the experiences that I had with this group of amazing people. 

In what way are you still connected to Fairfield University, Fairfield Athletics, and/or your sport?
I keep in touch with not only my teammates, but I've also built a relationship with the current coaching staff. I know what they are going through is a bit different than my own experience due to the pandemic, but I like to offer guidance and words of wisdom to the players, reminding them that there is a sea of Stags who love and support them. It may be a new team, but they are still family—because "Once a Stag, Always a Stag." I also watch a lot of Fairfield men's and women's basketball games and will cheer them on no matter where I am. 

What inspires your support for Fairfield University/Athletics?
It's simple. A valuable lesson that I have learned in life is to leave a place you care about better than when you found it. There was, and there still is, room for growth and improvement at Fairfield University. As a Black student-athlete, I went through a lot of hardships and blessings at the University. However, I think all student-athletes have a higher level of responsibility because we are always in the spotlight. Due to this spotlight, not only are we held to a higher standard, but we are also given an opportunity to lead and inspire. As a Black student-athlete, I had an opportunity to be a voice for not only minority students but all students, to make positive change and make Fairfield even better. I just want Fairfield student-athletes of today and tomorrow to know that they have unique power and tools to make positive change at the University and for their student community. We alumni Stags owe it to those who join our family after we are gone.

How did your time at Fairfield help prepare you for life after graduation? Please tell us a little bit about your personal and professional life. 
As a student-athlete at Fairfield, we engaged in intense practices and competitions, and when off the court we were encouraged to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. While I loved playing basketball and spending time with my team, I also needed to find time for myself, my studies, and other friends. This experience taught me to give 100% at all I do, and to never waver in the amount of effort I put into practices, competitions, lifelong learning, and my relationships. My Fairfield experience also prepared me to be even more understanding of others. Interestingly, it was not in the classroom that I learned this valuable communication skill. Fairfield is not a huge campus, so it feels like a small community where you have an opportunity to get to know everyone. Through student activities and events, I was able to connect with and listen to others' experiences and thoughts, and also had the opportunity to share my own stories. You learn so much from others when you engage and listen, and you can get even more out of the experience if you open up and share a part of yourself. I think being able to meet people in the middle is the best path to understanding and acceptance. This is a valuable lesson in which I continue to put into practice in my personal life and career as a professional basketball player with the Austin Spurs. Before playing with the Spurs, I was with the Long Island Nets. While I have loved all of my basketball experiences, I can honestly say that I am enjoying this warmer weather in Texas and am happy to be missing the snowy winter in the Northeast.