Vashil Fernandez
Vashil Fernandez | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 16, 1992 Jamaica |
| Occupation | Professional basketball player |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Known for | Defensive prowess in college basketball, Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year (2014–15), Lefty Driesell Award winner |
Vashil Fernandez (born January 16, 1992) is a professional basketball athlete from Jamaica currently playing for Marín Ence PeixeGalego in Spain's LEB Oro league. He developed his collegiate basketball career at Valparaiso University.
Early life
Originating from a densely populated home near Kingston, Jamaica, Fernandez initially dedicated himself to soccer and track before beginning basketball at age 17. He relocated to the United States for his secondary education, enrolling at Princeton Day Academy in Maryland, and later committed to play for Valparaiso.
College career
Fernandez was ineligible to compete during his freshman year but went on to secure the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year award in the 2014–15 season, posting averages of 6.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per contest. The NCAA granted him an additional year of eligibility. In his senior year, he topped the NCAA with a 3.31 blocks per game average and received the Lefty Driesell Award recognizing defensive prowess. He holds the record for most blocks in Valparaiso's history.
Professional career
Undrafted in the 2016 NBA draft, Fernandez signed with the Miami Heat on October 17, 2016, but was released five days later after participating in two preseason matches. On November 1, 2016, he joined the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League as a Heat affiliate player. The Skyforce waived him on February 24, 2017; subsequently, on March 17, 2017, he was acquired by the Greensboro Swarm.
Fernandez inked a deal with Romanian club Phoenix Galați on August 24, 2017, for the 2017–18 campaign. In December of that year, he transferred to Peñas Huesca following the exit of Matt O'Leary.
For the 2018–19 season, Fernandez signed with Marín Peixegalego, competing in Spain’s LEB Plata division.
National team career
Fernandez has represented the Jamaican national basketball team, participating in competitions such as the 2014 Centrobasket tournament.
Personal life
In May 2015, Fernandez married Bridget Eichner and is father to two daughters named Maia and Olivia. He earned two master's degrees from Valparaiso University—one in international economics and finance and another in international commerce and policy.