VCU player stays close to home to play basketball

Arrick Wilson, Sports Editor

Richmond native, VCU freshman forward Alphonzo Alphonzo “Fats” Billups III grew up on the east side of town and said VCU felt like home when considering his college commitment.

“This is just my home. VCU felt like a family,” Billups said. “Ever since I stepped on campus, they welcomed me with open arms, so it was a no-brainer.”

Before committing to VCU, Billups ranked No. 94 in ESPN’s Top 100 in the class of 2022, while leading Varina High School to a Virginia Class 4 State Championship, according to VCU Athletics. 

Kenneth Randolph coached Billups while at Varina High School, according to Randolph. Randolph said Billups’s high school career was a great one filled with winning awards and gaining experience along the way.

“Just stellar. All around player, he was player of the year — state, region,” Randolph said. “He just had leaps and bounds of success every year and I think that just had to do with strength and just knowledge of the game.”

Billups earned offers from Division I schools like Texas A&M University and North Carolina State University, according to VCU Athletics. 

“I think that the visit to VCU was more family-oriented,” Randolph said. “The fact that their VCU coaching staff really put in a conscious effort to make him feel at home was really probably the driving factor.”

Billups’s senior year was when his rankings and stock rose, according to Randolph. Billups said the feeling of being not rated high enough only encouraged him to do better.

“I was always underrated coming from here,” Billups said. “It was a great feeling, knowing that I could be higher. Just made me hungry every day.”

Billups has not played much this season, dealing with a lingering fractured right hand, and has decided to seek a medical redshirt, according to Billups. 

A medical redshirt is given to an injured player who gains another year of eligibility due to an injury, according to sports website SB Nation.

Billups said the decision to redshirt was a good one and he is determined to become a better player in the upcoming seasons.

“I think it was the right decision, knowing that my hand’s not fully healed,” Billups said. “This season, I just want to focus on being stronger and learn the game more.”

Billups has enjoyed the process of not only the change to college basketball but life as a VCU student, he said.

“Definitely a great learning experience, learning from these guys, my teammates, my professors,” Billups said. “It’s learning, adapting to all of this being coached by coach [Mike] Rhoades.”

VCU men’s basketball head coach Mike Rhoades said having Billups join the black and gold was great for the program. 

“Fats is a great kid, an awesome kid to a great family,” Rhoades said. “We just thought he would really fit our culture, our family and a heck of a player with the potential to become really, really good.”

Recruiting with Billups was different as he wanted to stay in proximity to home, according to Rhoades. Rhoades said when recruiting Billups, the coaches went all in. 

“Fats was a kid that was very interested in staying close to home and he’s got a little brother and his family’s nearby and that was important to him,” Rhoades said. “Once we knew that, you know, it was full steam ahead.”

Rhoades said Billups fits the style of VCU basketball and is looking forward to how his career pans out at VCU.

“He’s [Billups] a guy that just knows how to play basketball and knows how to play the right way,” Rhoades said. “We get excited about his potential and how much better he can get.”