Chike is the 8th All-Time leading scorer at Vermont Academy and climbing - he will likely finish 3rd or 4th - and will join the 500 rebound club before the end of his time here. Chike is also the Captain of the 2023-24 team and a 3-year starter.

“My time at VA has built and prepared me for the next level mentally, physically, and socially,” Chike shared, attributing much of his success to his team. “Being able to play at VA was nothing short of a great experience and helped me test my mental strength and willingness to work. Putting on that jersey whether it was a home or away game, I knew I was stepping onto a battlefield with the guys that I would consider family and would always have my back.”

Coach Zall remarked on Chike’s influence, “As we began to rebuild the program, Chike has been a pillar of who we aspire to be. His work ethic, character, and the way he represents our program everywhere he goes have been second to none. As a player, he is the best defender in New England and plays an integral part of our offense as well. He's a terrific screener, passer, rebounder and understands what impacts winning.”

“As I set off to play at the next level at Towson University I’m looking forward to being part of a great community on campus similar to the one I had here at VA,” says Chike. “Having the opportunity to play Division I basketball is something that I’m very excited to be a part of. I can’t wait to go to campus and make friends, enjoy the beautiful campus, play basketball against great competition, and push myself to be great.”

Azmar graduated from Bishop Hendricken High School in Rhode Island, where he was a 3-time state champion, and is now doing a post graduate year at VA. He was also recognized as the Rhode Island Gatorade State Player of the Year and a 1,000 pt scorer.

“Playing basketball currently at VA has helped me realize that there is always room for improvement,” says Azmar. “...the team [has] been doing a great job pushing me every day to be the best basketball player that I can possibly be.”

VA’s Boys’ Prep Basketball Head Coach, John Zall, speaks to Azmar’s skills and integrity. "Azmar exemplifies everything we want in a postgraduate student,” he says. “He jumped right in with two feet and is driven to work and get better. He has fit our culture like a glove and his improvement in such a short time has been evident. Azmar wants to be great and will do anything required to achieve that. We're so happy he chose to spend this year with us.”

Azmar looks forward to continuing to excel at BU. “Having a good network and support system has been huge for me these past couple of months so I am looking forward to building on that at BU. I am also looking forward to creating a culture of winning, togetherness, faith, and family while playing basketball at BU. I believe that these are all qualities of a great basketball team and if we can achieve these we will be all set,” he shares. 

On behalf of the Vermont Academy community, we look forward to seeing both Azmar and Chike’s next achievements and we know they are both in great hands to grow even more as athletes and students.