VCU’s global ballers
Fred Jeter | 11/30/2023, 6 p.m.
The “C” in VCU might stand for continents.
Coach Beth O’Boyle’s worldly Rams hail from five continents – North America, South America, Asia, Europe and Africa and seven countries outside the U.S.
The multicultural young athletes, a combination of Rams’ returnees, transfers and freshmen, have molded well this season as VCU bolted to its first 3-0 start in 14 years before a loss to James Madison.
The most productive arrival is guard Sarah Te-Biasu from Montreal, Canada.
The 5-foot-5 senior has played on several Canadian international teams.
For VCU, she leads in scoring with 15.3 points per game, while adding three assists and 29-for-33 accuracy at the foul line.
Te-Biasu, wearing jersey No. 0, passed the 1,000-career scoring mark earlier this season.
Another Canadian, 5-foot-7 sophomore Mary-Anna Asare is second in scoring at 10.4.
The tallest Rams at 6-foot-2 are Elze Motekaityte from Lithuania and bouncy Nigerian Jennifer Ezeh,
who averages 6.3 points and 4.9 rebounds, while hitting 54% from the floor.
Ezeh, a red-shirt senior, previously played at Missouri State and Duke. She has been a member of the Nigerian Youth National Team.
Befitting a team with worldly connection, the Rams went 3-0 over Thanksgiving Weekend in the Discover Puerto Rico
Classic in San Juan. The victories came against St. John’s, Sacred Heart and Puerto Rico-Mayaguez.
Now 6-1, the Rams’ next game is Saturday, Dec. 2, against Charlotte at the Siegel Center. Tipoff is 1 p.m. with ESPN+ coverage.
VCU’s men’s team boasts an international cast as well.
Coach Ryan Odom’s squad features Tobi Lawal and Michael Belle from England, Max Shulga from Ukraine and Kuany Kuany and Sean Bairstow from Australia.