Texas Border Business
RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Men’s Basketball Head Coach Matt Figger announced on Wednesday the signing of 6-8, 230-pound forward Sevon “Sai” Witt for the 2021-22 season.
Witt comes to UTRGV from Lincoln University, where this past season he earned Black College Sports Network (BCSN) NCAA Division II All-American First Team honors by averaging 15.9 points on 56.6% shooting, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game in 20 games (19 starts). He was also one of four finalists for the BCSN NCAA Division II Player of the Year award. Witt led the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) in offensive rebounding at 3.4 per game, the 22nd-best average in NCAA Division II, and he ended the year ranked eighth in the MIAA in scoring and sixth in rebounding en route to earning All-MIAA Second Team honors. He also ranked third in the league in field goal shooting and eighth in blocks (16).
During the regular season, Witt was twice named the BCSN Small School Player of the Week, earning the accolade on Dec. 22 and Feb. 2. He was also named the MIAA Men’s Basketball Player of the Week on Nov. 30.
Witt played his sophomore season at Kansas City Kansas Community College in 2019-20, averaging 14.4 points on 58.0% shooting, 7.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in eight games (six starts).
Witt started his collegiate career at Washburn University in 2018-19, averaging 7.1 points on 55.0% shooting and 3.2 rebounds to go with 27 blocks in 30 games (one start).
Originally from Kansas City, Mo., Witt scored more than 1,000 points at Raytown South High School, leading his team to the Class 4 State Championship game by averaging 17.0 points and 9.0 rebounds en route to All-State, First Team All-District, District Most Valuable Player and All-League honors as a senior. He was selected to play in the Missouri vs. Kansas All-Star Challenge as a senior as well. As a junior, Witt was an All-State, All-League First Team and All-District selection as he led his team to the state quarterfinals. As a sophomore, Witt was an All-League Second Team honoree as his team reached the state quarterfinals and won the district championship. Off the court, Witt made both the honor roll and Principal’s Honor Roll every year.
“Sai’s got great hands and great feet,” Figger said. “He knows how to use his body and score in different positions around the basket. He can protect the rim and is a high-volume offensive rebounder. We’re excited to have him bring a lot of experience to our front court.”
Witt joins 6-8, 210-pound forward Shavaul Butters, 6-9, 215-pound forward Donte Houston Jr., 6-9, 195-pound forward RayQuan Taylor, 6-6, 185-pound guard/forward Justin Johnson, and 6-0, 175-pound guard Ismail Habib as part of the 2021-22 recruiting class.
