Vashil Fernandez has made a smooth tranistion from a high school basketballer to a collegiate star.

The lanky, 6′ “9, 225-lb Calabar student athlete, who can boast of eight CXC passes, has been transformed into a 6′ “11 255-lb husband, father and one of the best defensive ‘big men’ in all of US collegiate basketball.

He came from extremely humble beginnings, where he lived with his maternal grandmother in Ewarton, St Catherine, before transferring to Calabar. He lived a short distance from the school on Red Hills road, in a small home with five siblings and no birth paternal father around.

Fernandez, however, had a very supportive mother in Sophia Green, aunt Audrey Green and uncle George Green, who helped to shape him into the man he was to become.

He has been a man of faith since his high school days and is open and upfront about his priority to God, family and community, leading — by example — a Christian way of life.

Fernandez was coached and guided at Calabar by Ludlow Barker and then was the first recipient of the then incubator Elite Academy in 2011, founded by Ajani Williams, former president of Jamaica Basketball Association.

The player, having left Calabar after his CXC exams, went to high school in the US for one year and then signed with Valparaiso University as it was determined it was most aligned with his values and basketball potential.

Valparaiso University, ‘Valpo’, based in Indiana, was famous as a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) darling, upsetting big name schools during ‘March Madness’, the NCAA National Tournament. Valparaiso had the profile to ensure Fernandez would be noticed nationally, but small enough for him to create a legacy, and that he has done.

He is coached by former Valpo star Bryce Drew, who was drafted as 16th pick in the first round in the 1998 draft to the Houston Rockets.

Fernandez had become, arguably, the most loved and admired man on campus, which is where he met his supportive wife Bridget Eichner. They have a daughter, Maia, and another on the way. The Jamaican had to grow up real fast to take on his new responsibilities.

On the professional front, the prospects seem good for Fernandez. There is a possibility he could latch on to an NBA team next season, but he is more likely to play in high-level European clubs in Italy or Spain in his first year as he continues to develop.

Hopes are high that his talent could drive to the very top if he could improve on aspects of his game, notably foot speed and offensive confidence. With those at a higher level, the sky is the limit for the budding star.

Apart from his many awards, and spirit of competition, Fernandez is noted as an academic. He completed his bachelors in international business two years ago and attained his first master’s in international commerce and policies last year.

And he keeps going, as he aims to finish his second masters in international economics and finance next month.

And while he was beating the books, he was named Horizon Defensive Player of the Year last season and the number one shot blocker in college Division One basketball.

Fernandez has also played a leading role in getting his team to the post-season last time out in the NCAA tournament and this season in the National Invitation Tournament.

Last season, his Valparaiso team won the Horizon League Championship, catapulting them into the NCAA March Madness tournament where they exited in the first round. Nevertheless, the success was felt nationally and placed Valpo and Fernandez solidly in the consciousness of the basketball world.

“It was a great opportunity to finish my collegiate career on a good note and be able to create history for Valpo with over 30 games won this season. I am excited and expectant of all the opportunities that may come in my pro career. I hope I am a role model to young people that it doesn’t matter where you are from as long as you have faith in God and are dedicated to your goals, you will achieve,” Ferdandez was quoted as saying.