Alto Virgil
Encyclopedia
Alto Virgil is a British
-American
professional basketball
player, currently plying his trade with British Basketball League
team Sheffield Sharks
, with whom he signed for in 2007.
Virgil, 6ft2 in height, attended Montclair High School in 2000 where he was the conference player of the year averaging 22.6 points-per-game. In 2002, he averaged 26.3 points-per-game for Passaic County Community College
in New Jersey
, where he was also named as New Jersey JUCO player of the year.
In 2006the point guard
signed professional with start-up franchise Vancouver Volcanoes
of the International Basketball League
, where he averaged 15.7 points-per-game. Seeking a new challenge, Virgil moved across the Atlantic later that year when he signed for Chester Jets. Virgil made his debut in the British Basketball League
, the UK's top league, on October 6, 2006, in a home game against Scottish Rocks
. The score finished 89-86 to the Jets, and Virgil claimed instant recognition as the game-high scorer with 29 points on the night.
Virgil played in all 36 league games during the 2006-07 season
, averaing 36.86 minutes-per-game, and an impressive 18.36 points-per-game, becoming the club's second top scorer after Louis McCullough
, the half-brother of NBA superstar Kevin Garnett
, and the league's sixth highest scorer, with McCullough in fourth. He was also ranked fifth in the league in assists, with 4.58 per-game, and tenth in free-throw shooting, with 78.30%. Despite these impressive figures, Virgil was overlooked by many as the Jets endured a dismal season and failed to qualify for the post-season playoffs for the first time in eight years.
On May 1, 2007, it was announced that Virgil was called-up by Chris Finch
to train with the Great Britain team
, alongside Chicago Bulls
star Luol Deng
, in preparation for the Eurobasket 2009
qualifiers throughout the summer. He later withdrew from the team amid confusion of his British citizenship status, after various sources incorrectly claimed he was born in Liverpool
as opposed to his hometown of Livingston, in the United States.
After his successful debut season in Britain it was no surprise that many big clubs fought to sign Alto, and on September 6 it was formally announced that Alto had penned a contract with title-chasing Sheffield Sharks
, as part of Peter Scantlebury
's new-look team.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
-American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player, currently plying his trade with British Basketball League
British Basketball League
The British Basketball League, often abbreviated to the BBL, is the premier men's professional basketball league in the United Kingdom. The BBL runs two knockout competitions alongside the league championship; the BBL Cup and the BBL Trophy....
team Sheffield Sharks
Sheffield Sharks
Sheffield Sharks, officially named One Health Sheffield Sharks due to sponsorship, is a professional basketball team from the city of Sheffield, England. Sharks currently play in the British Basketball League and play their home fixtures at English Institute of Sport - Sheffield...
, with whom he signed for in 2007.
Virgil, 6ft2 in height, attended Montclair High School in 2000 where he was the conference player of the year averaging 22.6 points-per-game. In 2002, he averaged 26.3 points-per-game for Passaic County Community College
Passaic County Community College
Passaic County Community College is an accredited, co-educational, two-year, public, community college located in Passaic County, New Jersey. The school's main campus is located in Paterson. The Wanaque Academic Center is located in Wanaque, has over 1,000 students. The Public Safety Academy is...
in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, where he was also named as New Jersey JUCO player of the year.
In 2006the point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
signed professional with start-up franchise Vancouver Volcanoes
Vancouver Volcanoes
The Vancouver Volcanoes are an International Basketball League franchise in Vancouver, Washington. The team has played at several arenas throughout their existence and will play in the O'Connell Sports Center on the campus of Clark College.-2005 Season:...
of the International Basketball League
International Basketball League
The International Basketball League was a short lived professional basketball league in the United States. The IBL was headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. The league started in 1999 and ended in 2001.-History:...
, where he averaged 15.7 points-per-game. Seeking a new challenge, Virgil moved across the Atlantic later that year when he signed for Chester Jets. Virgil made his debut in the British Basketball League
British Basketball League
The British Basketball League, often abbreviated to the BBL, is the premier men's professional basketball league in the United Kingdom. The BBL runs two knockout competitions alongside the league championship; the BBL Cup and the BBL Trophy....
, the UK's top league, on October 6, 2006, in a home game against Scottish Rocks
Scottish Rocks
The Glasgow Rocks is a basketball team which competes in the British Basketball League. Formerly known as Scottish Rocks and also Edinburgh Rocks, they are one of the leading franchises in the top-tier league, and the only team to be based outside of England, playing at the Kelvin Hall...
. The score finished 89-86 to the Jets, and Virgil claimed instant recognition as the game-high scorer with 29 points on the night.
Virgil played in all 36 league games during the 2006-07 season
British Basketball League 2006-07
The 2006-07 season, the 20th since its establishment of the British Basketball League, started on September 29, 2006 when reigning champions Newcastle Eagles began with a 85-83 loss away to Sheffield Sharks....
, averaing 36.86 minutes-per-game, and an impressive 18.36 points-per-game, becoming the club's second top scorer after Louis McCullough
Louis McCullough
Louis McCullough is an American professional basketball player.McCullough currently plays for Syracuse Raging Bullz, for whom he signed for in July 2007, after a successful spell at Chester Jets in the British Basketball League...
, the half-brother of NBA superstar Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett
Kevin Maurice Garnett is an American professional basketball player who currently plays power forward for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association . After a high school basketball career at Farragut Career Academy which included winning a national player of the year award, he...
, and the league's sixth highest scorer, with McCullough in fourth. He was also ranked fifth in the league in assists, with 4.58 per-game, and tenth in free-throw shooting, with 78.30%. Despite these impressive figures, Virgil was overlooked by many as the Jets endured a dismal season and failed to qualify for the post-season playoffs for the first time in eight years.
On May 1, 2007, it was announced that Virgil was called-up by Chris Finch
Chris Finch (basketball)
Chris Finch is a former American professional basketball player, and a current basketball coach. He is currently the assistant coach of the Houston Rockets of the NBA, and the head coach of the senior Great Britain men's national basketball team.-College:Finch is a 1992 graduate of Franklin &...
to train with the Great Britain team
Great Britain national basketball team
The Great Britain men's national basketball team, known as Great Britain or GB, is the national team for Great Britain in basketball...
, alongside Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
star Luol Deng
Luol Deng
Luol Deng is a South Sudanese-British professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls and the Great Britain national basketball team. He plays the small forward position.-Early life:...
, in preparation for the Eurobasket 2009
EuroBasket 2009
The EuroBasket 2009 was the 36th EuroBasket, the biennial regional basketball championship contested by European nations and held by FIBA Europe. The tournament, which was hosted by Poland, began on 7 September 2009 and concluded with the final on 20 September 2009...
qualifiers throughout the summer. He later withdrew from the team amid confusion of his British citizenship status, after various sources incorrectly claimed he was born in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
as opposed to his hometown of Livingston, in the United States.
After his successful debut season in Britain it was no surprise that many big clubs fought to sign Alto, and on September 6 it was formally announced that Alto had penned a contract with title-chasing Sheffield Sharks
Sheffield Sharks
Sheffield Sharks, officially named One Health Sheffield Sharks due to sponsorship, is a professional basketball team from the city of Sheffield, England. Sharks currently play in the British Basketball League and play their home fixtures at English Institute of Sport - Sheffield...
, as part of Peter Scantlebury
Peter Scantlebury
Peter Scantlebury MBE is a former professional basketball player, the former head coach of Sheffield Sharks, who compete in the British Basketball League, and a teacher at Aston Comprehensive School....
's new-look team.