USVI Women’s National Basketball Team arrive at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on Monday following their gold medal victory at the 2025 FIBA Caribbean Basketball Championship. Photo Credit: V.I. CONSORTIUM.
The U.S. Virgin Islands Senior Women's National Basketball Team touched down on St. Croix Monday evening, greeted by supporters at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport following their gold medal triumph at the 2025 FIBA Caribbean Basketball Championship in Georgetown, Guyana.
The squad, which went undefeated in the tournament held November 12-16 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Centrobasket Women's Championship alongside silver medalist Guyana and bronze winner Bahamas. The victory marks a significant achievement for the territory, highlighting the team's dominance in a field of five nations.
In the championship game on November 16, the Virgin Islands routed the Bahamas 105-81, pulling away after a competitive first half. Forward Anisha George led the charge with 26 points and 21 rebounds on 10-of-13 shooting, while guard Imani Tate added 22 points, six rebounds, and six assists. J'Naya Ephraim contributed 17 points, six assists, and four rebounds, helping the team maintain a balanced attack that overwhelmed their opponents in the second half.
George's stellar play throughout the event earned her the tournament MVP honors, averaging 19 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. She was joined on the All-Star Five by Valerie Nesbitt of the Bahamas, Tiffany Reynolds of Jamaica, and Guyana's Amisha Ramlall and Joy Brown. George's efficiency rating of 27.3 ranked second overall, underscoring her impact on both ends of the floor.
The Virgin Islands opened the round-robin competition with convincing wins, including a 78-54 victory over host Guyana, a 93-43 blowout of Jamaica, and a strong performance against Suriname. These results cemented their 4-0 record, with Guyana finishing 3-1 after defeating Jamaica 83-74 in their finale, and the Bahamas at 2-2. Jamaica ended 1-3, while Suriname went 0-4.
The roster featured experienced players like George, Tate, Ephraim, and Naja Ngongba, who provided key blocks averaging 1.0 per game. The team's success builds on prior regional accomplishments, positioning them as contenders in the upcoming Centrobasket.
