VCU to retire jersey of former star Briante Weber

Briante_Weber.jpg
Via VCUAthletics.com:

RICHMOND, Va. – Briante Weber’s electric slam dunks were once so common at the Stuart C. Siegel Center it seemed as if he was flying from the rafters. On Dec. 22, Weber will officially ascend to those girders when VCU retires his No. 2 jersey when the Rams host William & Mary.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be one of a select few Rams to be considered for this great accomplishment. I couldn’t be more grateful to be the next one chosen. I’m sure I won’t be the last. Ram Nation, Deuce is coming back to The Stu. Let’s pack the house one more time,” said Weber.

VCU Athletic Director Ed McLaughlin stated "Nobody embodies the spirit and energy of Havoc as much as Briante Weber. He electrified the Siegel Center every game throughout his career with his enthusiasm and his defensive prowess. Briante stands out as the best on-the-ball defender in the history of college basketball, who left an undeniable impact on our program that will last for generations to come. I am thrilled we can raise his jersey into the Siegel Center rafters forever."

From 2011-15, Weber was perhaps college basketball’s most fearsome defender. His high-energy, relentless ball-hawking and arena-rocking poster dunks provided the emotional fuel to some of the greatest teams in program history. A native of Chesapeake, Va., Weber is the only player in the history of the Atlantic 10 Conference to win the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award three times. In 2015, when his final VCU season was cut short by an injury, he stood just 12 steals away from the NCAA’s career record.

As the catalyst of the Rams’ “Havoc” full-court press, Weber racked up 374 steals during his decorated career, a mark that ranks fourth in NCAA history. Due in large part to Weber’s career average of 2.9 steals per game, VCU led the country in steal percentage for three consecutive seasons from 2011-12 to 2014-15.

VCU reached the NCAA Tournament in each of Weber’s four collegiate seasons, and the Rams captured conference titles in 2012 and 2015. As a junior in 2013-14, Weber enjoyed perhaps his best overall statistical season when he averaged 3.5 steals, as well as 9.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.
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MattRock
Matt has been reporting on VCU sports for Ram Nation since 2007 with a focus on news, photos, and feature stories.

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