By John Rosenstock, Athletics Media Relations Student Assistant
Senior member of Longwood Men's Golf TeamVirginia’s Tidewater area is known for producing outstanding athletes. Keiva Small does nothing but enhance that stereotype.
The Norfolk native has been playing basketball since elementary school, and there is nothing more she has loved doing since that time than playing hoops. Keiva recalls that nobody really pushed her along in competitive basketball; her motivation came from within.
“My mom always supported me, but I decided on my own that I wanted to be a basketball player,” said Small.
Though Keiva always excelled on the court, she was an all-around athlete by the time she arrived at Norview High School in Norfolk. She played volleyball and ran track, but admitted her heart was always with basketball. And when winter rolled around and it was time to lace up her shoes and get back on the hardwood, she knew that’s where she belonged.
Keiva averaged an astounding 23.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game her senior year which garnered attention from schools around the state, as well as Big East Conference member Rutgers University. However, Keiva had something besides college basketball in mind. She wanted to enroll in the Air Force, but her mom encouraged her to get an education and take advantage of her potential college options. Keiva acknowledged her mom’s request, and was lured to Longwood by former head coach Shirley Duncan.
In the fall of 2004, Small arrived in Farmville to begin her journey as a Longwood student and Lancer women’s basketball player. She played in all 28 games during her freshman season, contributing a respectable 5.1 points per game and showing signs of what was to come in her outstanding career.
After spending a year and a half under the direction of Duncan, the 23-year head coach retired midway through the 2005-06 season. This gave way to former assistant coach Nikki Atkinson being named interim head coach for the remainder of Small’s sophomore season.
Then came a new head coach. Pamela Bass from Brown University took over for the 2006-07 season. The Lancers struggled, but Keiva continued to develop. She improved to 9.9 points per game (up from 6.7 the year before), and led the team in total points with 286. Unfortunately, the team’s efforts were only good enough for an 8-21 record that year. Enter Kristin Caruso.
The women’s basketball program named Hartford University’s Kristin Caruso the new head coach for 2007-08, Keiva’s fourth and final year. Yes, that’s right, Keiva played for four different head coaches in four years. Not many college student-athletes can say that.
“It was like being a freshman every year in a way,” stated Keiva. “It was just tough to adjust to new programs all the time,” she added.
Coach Caruso has come in and revitalized the program for sure, leading the team to a winning record this year. Keiva admits that’s not all she’s done though.
“Since coming here, I’ve developed the most as a player this year under Coach. She’s helped me become a smarter player, my decision making is so much better,” said Small.
When asked to comment on Keiva’s impact on the success the team has enjoyed this year, Caruso said, “As a captain and a leader on this team, she may not lead much in words, but she definitely leads by example on the court.”
Keiva is the only fourth-year senior on the team, and her leadership along with the instruction and guidance of Coach Caruso has vaulted the Lancer women’s basketball program to the next level. Longwood has attained a winning season in its first season of Division I eligibility, with one win that definitely stands above the rest. Small pinpointed that win perfectly when asked what she will remember most about playing for Longwood.
“Beating Radford,” Small said proudly.
The Highlanders came in to the game at 13-5, having previously receiving votes in the Top 25 Poll. The Lancers rallied behind a large home crowd and upset Radford 70-69 thanks in part to Small’s go-ahead free throw with just four seconds on the clock. It is arguably one of the biggest wins in Lancer women’s basketball history.
Keiva Small will take the experience and a tremendous 14.6 points per game average she has earned in this remarkable season to Italy this summer where she will compete in the USA International Athletes Tournament for prospective professional women’s basketball stars. Caruso is utilizing some contacts she has in Europe to try and assist Keiva in this venture.
“She has the athletic ability to play over there, no doubt about it,” Caruso firmly stated.
If professional basketball does not work out for Keiva, she said she plans to simply look for a job. She then later revealed that she would like to stay in basketball and ideally coach at the collegiate level. Whatever she ends up doing, her experience as a Lancer in such a crucial point in the program’s transition to Division I will certainly help her to succeed.
