Javon Small has emerged as a standout player amidst a challenging period for West Virginia’s basketball program. After three seasons on less-than-stellar teams, he now leads the Big 12 in scoring and is instrumental in making the Mountaineers competitive this year, particularly under first-year coach Darian DeVries.
Ranked No. 21, West Virginia was predicted to secure a low spot in the Big 12, expected to finish 13th out of 16 teams. However, following a significant victory against Kansas last week, the Mountaineers have achieved an 11-3 record overall, including 2-1 in conference play, which marks their best start since the 2017-18 season when they finished with a 15-1 record. DeVries has also made history, holding the best record for a West Virginia first-year head coach after 14 games since the 1960-61 season.
Small’s performance has been a key factor in this turnaround. He is currently the leading scorer in the league with an impressive average of 19.5 points per game, which is three points above the next highest scorer. Over the past week, he recorded two double-doubles, including games where he pulled down 11 rebounds. Additionally, he ranks highly in both steals and free-throw percentage.
DeVries expressed confidence in Small’s abilities, noting, “We’re going to keep going to him. He’s been incredible. He’s playing at a high level. I think he’s one of the best guards in the country.” Small joined West Virginia after spending two seasons at East Carolina, where he led the team in scoring and assists before an injury cut his last season short. Last year at Oklahoma State, he produced similar statistics, averaging 15 points and four assists while the team faced difficulties with a 12-20 record.
His decision to join West Virginia came from familiarity with DeVries’ system from their time at Drake, in addition to his connections with current assistant coach Chester Frazier, who recruited several WVU players. Small indicated his approach is based on team needs, stating, “I just do what the team needs me to do.”
As the season progresses, keeping up their strong performance will be crucial for Small and the Mountaineers. He has played the most minutes in the league, but teammates Tucker DeVries and Jayden Stone have been sidelined due to injuries. DeVries, a former standout at Drake, has missed six games, while Stone, a prolific scorer last season, has not played yet this year. Hansberry also faced injury setbacks, missing a recent match.
The team’s defensive play will need to remain sharp, having previously held four opponents to fewer than 50 points. Small emphasized the importance of communication in defense: “Defense is all about communication. We all understand our spots as far as where we’re supposed to be. But if there’s no communication, something might slip up or break down.”
Unfortunately, the team’s depth was tested in a recent game against Arizona, where despite Small’s 17 points, no other players reached double digits, leading to a 75-56 defeat that ended a seven-game winning streak. DeVries remained optimistic, saying, “We’re fine. Injuries happen, foul trouble happens. We’re going to play. That’s just part of it.” He acknowledged the need for the team to maintain physicality and aggression, noting the importance of sticking to their game plan to ensure success.
Despite hurdles, West Virginia has already surpassed last season’s win total and has triumphed over three ranked opponents, including a notable nonconference win against Arizona earlier in the season. Arizona’s coach complimented DeVries for his ability to rebuild the West Virginia program with a new roster, especially when faced with injuries. “To win close games against teams like Arizona, Gonzaga, and Kansas? Incredible,” he remarked, suggesting DeVries deserves an extension for his impressive work.
